Kilcullen Design Statement project now under way
The newly-appointed consultants for the preparation of a Design Statement for Kilcullen held their first in-person meeting last evening with the local committee managing the project, writes Brian Byrne.
James Hennessy and Suzanne Garrett of the Paul Hogarth Company had discussions with members of Kilcullen Community Action in the Heritage Centre. Earlier they had gone on a 'walkaround' of parts of the town, getting a feel for what it is currently like.
The meeting discussed an outline of how the consultants plan to progress the project, which will involve discussions with every part of the community.
James Hennessy said the 'process is almost as important as the project' in getting a sense of what Kilcullen as a community wants the town to be in the future. He complimented the KCA committee for the preliminary documentation which had been provided, saying he wished all clients did the same.
The work will include an audit of Kilcullen as it is, as well as a review of all projects currently planned or under way in the town. A survey will be developed to establish how residents understand Kilcullen and what they would like to see.
A series of workshops will be held, designed to establish the views of different elements of the community. A draft plan will then be prepared which can be examined by all stakeholders and subsequently adjusted where 'gaps are found'.
Mr Hennessy said the final report will be a 'living document' that will be much more flexible than the statuary Local Area Plan for Kilcullen which is scheduled for preparation by Kildare County Council over the next number of months.
Architect and KCA committee member Laura Bowen commented that the Design Statement 'is not a planning process'. "It will be more a community design about what we think is important."
James Hennessey also emphasised that the preparation of the Design Statement will be completely transparent to all concerned, and 'there will be no pet projects'. "There will be some tough questions to be asked too," he warned, "around sustainability and environment."
A meeting with the planning and regeneration team in Kildare County Council is also to be organised.
Ray Kelly said a list of stakeholders is in preparation by KCA which totals some 200 groups, including businesses, social organisations and sports clubs.
It is hoped that much of initial work on the project can under way by the end of November, though KCA's Orla O'Neill noted that 'we need to be flexible' about that because of uncertainty around covid. A tentative timeline envisages the project being completed by the spring of 2022.
The €22,000 initiative is funded by the County Kildare Leader Partnership and LPT funds from Kildare County Council members. The project was paused last March, following a decision by previously-appointed consultants that they were not in a position to proceed.
James Hennessy and Suzanne Garrett of the Paul Hogarth Company had discussions with members of Kilcullen Community Action in the Heritage Centre. Earlier they had gone on a 'walkaround' of parts of the town, getting a feel for what it is currently like.
The meeting discussed an outline of how the consultants plan to progress the project, which will involve discussions with every part of the community.
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| Suzanne Garrett and James Hennessy of the Paul Hogarth Company, setting out on a walkaround with KCA's Anne Cashman and Noel Clare. |
James Hennessy said the 'process is almost as important as the project' in getting a sense of what Kilcullen as a community wants the town to be in the future. He complimented the KCA committee for the preliminary documentation which had been provided, saying he wished all clients did the same.
The work will include an audit of Kilcullen as it is, as well as a review of all projects currently planned or under way in the town. A survey will be developed to establish how residents understand Kilcullen and what they would like to see.
A series of workshops will be held, designed to establish the views of different elements of the community. A draft plan will then be prepared which can be examined by all stakeholders and subsequently adjusted where 'gaps are found'.
Mr Hennessy said the final report will be a 'living document' that will be much more flexible than the statuary Local Area Plan for Kilcullen which is scheduled for preparation by Kildare County Council over the next number of months.
Architect and KCA committee member Laura Bowen commented that the Design Statement 'is not a planning process'. "It will be more a community design about what we think is important."
James Hennessey also emphasised that the preparation of the Design Statement will be completely transparent to all concerned, and 'there will be no pet projects'. "There will be some tough questions to be asked too," he warned, "around sustainability and environment."
A meeting with the planning and regeneration team in Kildare County Council is also to be organised.
Ray Kelly said a list of stakeholders is in preparation by KCA which totals some 200 groups, including businesses, social organisations and sports clubs.
It is hoped that much of initial work on the project can under way by the end of November, though KCA's Orla O'Neill noted that 'we need to be flexible' about that because of uncertainty around covid. A tentative timeline envisages the project being completed by the spring of 2022.
The €22,000 initiative is funded by the County Kildare Leader Partnership and LPT funds from Kildare County Council members. The project was paused last March, following a decision by previously-appointed consultants that they were not in a position to proceed.
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| Viewing the Community Garden project. |
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