Time running out for public comment on Kilcullen LAP

Next Monday at 5pm is the closing of public comments on the Kilcullen Draft Local Area Plan, writes Brian Byrne.

This second stage of consultation followed the Report by the County Chief Executive on submissions made in the initial public consultation period.

The Plan sets a framework for the future development of Kilcullen. The articles so far published on it can be found here.

The full Report from the Chief Executive can be downloaded here.

The Report is available to view in Kilcullen Community Library, Kilcullen Heritage Centre, and on the Kildare County Council website.

Amendments to Kilcullen Draft LAP

Elements in the Draft Kilcullen LAP have been recommended for amendment in the Acting County Kildare CEO's Report on the public consultation on the Plan, following submissions, writes Brian Byrne.

A proposed dezoning of lands from Existing Residential to Agriculture on the George Brown development opposite Moanbane Park has been reversed following communication from BMA Planning on behalf of the developer.

BMA noted that Kildare County Council had previously granted planning permission for the 3ha site, which comprises the rear two-thirds of the development originally built in the 1970s. The relevant site has services and infrastructure already in place, adjoins established residential areas, and is no longer suitable for Agricultural.

A submission by Niall McDonnell referred to the non-mention of the 100-space Eurospar car park in the indicative development plan for the Mart Expansion Lands, and also to the impossibility of having the proposed 198 dwellings on the 40 percent of the property allocated to New Residential. The CEO now recommends texts in the Plan to be amended to reflect these submissions, including changing the 198 figure to 80.

An amendment to allow Retail use in the Mart lands is also recommended, as is one to allow continuation of Transport & Utilities use at the existing car showroom and petrol station on the Naas Road, both also on the submission of Niall McDonnell.

A section of lands owned by Castlemartin Stud will also be subject to amendment from the Draft LAP, following submissions by David Mulcahy Consultants. The lands referred to in the submission in total comprise 17.5ha, due to be rezoned from New Residential to Agricultural. The CEO's recommendation provides for the retention of 3.7ha of these, south of Lui Na Greine, as New Residential.

The Draft LAP was on public display from 7 May to 17 June 2014. There was a total of 14 submissions from individuals and bodies, and the CEO's Report will be discussed at next Monday's meeting of the full Council.

Aldi looking for site in Kilcullen

The discount store chain Aldi is looking for a site for a store in Kilcullen, writes Brian Byrne.

A submission on the Draft Kilcullen LAP, by John Spain Associates on behalf of the chain, says the requirement to develop such a store is part of Aldi's investment programme, and the company has been actively seeking a site in Kilcullen for a number of years.

Such an Aldi store typically requires 0.6ha, and the submission suggests that the 'opportunity sites' identified at the Mart Expansion Area and Neighbourhood Edge Lands near Market Square should be specifically designated to allow provision of retail discount/small supermarket development.

The CEO is recommending that the text in relation to those sites be amended to indicate a potential location for a retail/commercial unit.

The Draft LAP was on public display from 7 May to 17 June 2014. There was a total of 14 submissions from individuals and bodies, and the CEO's Report will be discussed at next Monday's meeting of the full Council.

Changes in zoning a feature of Kilcullen LAP

The changes in the Kilcullen Local Area Plan 2014-2019 compared to the Plan adopted in 2008 include a 16 hectares rezoning from Residential to Agriculture, Naas Municipal District councillors were told in a Planners Briefing on the Plan, writes Brian Byrne.

This is because the level of Residential zoned land in the former Plan exceeded demands during its life.

No additional employment lands have been zoned, as there are currently 24ha of zoned lands available, and three sites have been rezoned from Industrial & Warehousing to Agricultural because there are 'more appropriate' lands available at 'established locations', the councillors were told.

A change to zoning on lands south of the Avondale estate will involve making current Residential land Industrial & Warehousing. The councillors were told this reflects the development of the road serving Kilcullen Business Campus.

An area of land behind the Hillcrest Apartments has been rezoned from Town Centre to Open Space, as the land is considered by the planners to be too steep for development.

Land adjacent to Riverside Manor has been rezoned New Residential from Town Centre, reflecting the number of vacant premises along Main Street (above) and availability of other Town Centre sites.

Nearby, a small area of land adjacent to the Canoe Club has been rezoned from Town Centre to Open Space.

The planners have also rezoned an area of Council-owned land behind the Community Centre from Existing Residential to Open Space & Amenity. This is to facilitate the development of a Teen Play Facility as recommended by Simon Wallace.

The councillors were informed of Indicative Design Briefs to the Expansion Area of the Cattle Mart and adjacent lands (above), and the Neighbourhood Edge lands east of Main Street adjacent to Market Square (below).

An objective for a Relief Road over the Liffey west of the town remains in the new Draft LAP, while a proposed objective for one east of the town has been dropped. A new streets objective is one from Main Street to the existing access road to Riverside Manor, to serve the residential aspect for the Neighbourhood Edge lands.

A Playground objective is retained in the Draft LAP adjacent to the north bank of the river, a condition of a planning permission granted to Brendan O'Connell.

Three submissions on LAP

There were just three submissions to the Draft Kilcullen Local Area Plan, Naas Municipal District councillors were told at their first meeting on Monday, writes Brian Byrne.

The councillors were given a briefing on the Plan by officials at the meeting. The LAP has been on public display in the Council and in two locations in Kilcullen for the past six weeks.

The councillors were told that the Plan will go before the full Council on 28 July, at which the county CEO's responses to submissions will be considered. The recommendations will then go for public consultation for another period if there are 'material amendments' to the Draft. Otherwise it will be agreed to be adopted at that meeting.

The recent meeting of Kilcullen Community Action gave a general welcome to the Plan, with a number of observations. These relate to the absence in the Indicative Development layout of the Cattle Mart site of the current parking for 100 cars which Eurospar has on part of that site.

The need for immediate provision of cycle lanes, mentioned in the Plan, is highlighted by KCA, because of the new extensions to both primary and secondary schools in the town.

The meeting also noted an immediate need for attention to be given to the Hideout cross-roads, to make it safer and to improve traffic flow.

A redevelopment plan is also needed for the Market Square and Riverside Manor entrance, KCA says.

Public Notice: Draft Kilcullen Local Area Plan

Pursuant to Sections 18-20 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 as amended, notice is hereby given that Kildare County Council, being the planning authority for the area, has prepared a Local Area Plan (LAP) for Kilcullen.

A Local Area Plan is a statutory document that sets out the planning and development objectives of the council for the designated area and is prepared in accordance with the Planning and Development Acts, 2000 as amended.

Kildare County Council has concluded, following screening for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in accordance with Article 13K of the Planning and Development (SEA) Regulations 2004 as amended and Appropriate Assessment (AA) screening under Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive, that further SEA and AA of the proposed LAP is not necessary. Copies of the decisions from the screenings for SEA and AA are available for inspection with the proposed LAP.

Copies of the proposed Local Area Plan may be inspected for a period of 6 weeks from 7 May 2014 to 17 June 2014 inclusive at the following locations:

Planning Office, Kildare County Council, Level 1, at the address below

Opening times: 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m., Monday to Friday (excluding Wednesday)

Wednesday: 9.30 am – 4.00 pm

Kilcullen Library, New Abbey Road, Kilcullen

Opening times: Tuesday - 10.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Friday - 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

Saturday – 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

Kilcullen Heritage Centre, Main Street, Kilcullen

Opening times: Monday to Friday 10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.

And on our website by clicking here.

Submissions or observations in writing should be marked ‘Kilcullen Local Area Plan’ and addressed to Forward Planning, Kildare County Council, Level 1, at the address below or emailed to lapsubmissions@kildarecoco.ie to be received no later than 5.00 p.m. on 17 June 2014. Children, groups or associations representing the interests of children are entitled to make submissions or observations to the proposed Local Area Plan.

Please make your submission by one medium only, i.e. in hard copy or email. This will avoid the duplication of submission reference numbers and will streamline the process. Your assistance on this issue is appreciated. Faxed submissions will not be accepted.

Submissions or observations in respect of the proposed Local Area Plan made to the planning authority after the stated period shall not be taken into consideration in deciding upon the proposal.

NB: Please note that all submissions will be published on our website and personal information such as your address, phone number, email address should be listed on a separate sheet.

Áras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Naas, Co Kildare

Kilcullen Draft LAP goes on view

The Draft Kilcullen Local Area Plan is now on view in Kilcullen Community Library and also in the Heritage Centre, writes Brian Byrne.

This is the public consultation stage of the LAP, before it goes to Council with any revisions and amendments following the public consultation.

It's the basis of the blueprint for the future development of Kilcullen over the next five years, and everybody with an interest in the town should make it their business to find time to examine it.

A number of elements from it have already been written about on the Diary, and can be found by following the lable at the bottom of this story.

Kilcullen LAP to be published in May

Kildare councillors have agreed to publish the Draft Kilcullen Local Area Plan 2014-1020 for public consultation on 7 May, writes Brian Byrne.

The decision was made at today's monthly meeting of the Council, held in Teach Diarmaid in Castledermot.

The previous scheduled date of publication had been 19 March, but this was deferred at the February meeting at the request of Athy Area councillors because Kilcullen is moving back into the Naas Area as a complete entity for the May local elections.

Athy area chairman Cllr Ivan Keatley said the move would mean that the details and submissions from the LAP will now be voted on by the new councillors representing Kilcullen after the elections.

The Diary has been reporting elements of the plan for the last week, stories which can be accessed here.

Tourism development 'important' — LAP

Tourism development has 'an important role' in the future economic development of Kilcullen, according to the Draft Local Area Plan 2014-2020 for the town, writes Brian Byrne.

The Plan identifies the attraction of the River Liffey, the heritage that includes nearby Dun Ailinne as one of the four key pre-Christian settlement sites, the reputation of the town's bars, cafes and restaurants, and the amenities represented by such developments as the Camphill Community Farm cafe and shop.

The Plan suggests that more accommodation needs to be made available for growth in tourism, though the fact that it is within an hour's drive from Dublin does make Kilcullen a viable day trip destination.

The Council commits in the Plan to support the improvement of the visitor experience in Kilcullen through cooperation with 'stakeholders and appropriate agencies' to secure tourist-based enterprises and facilities in the town.

Councillors will be asked again at next Monday's monthly meeting to vote for publication of the Draft LAP. The matter was deferred at the last meeting, delaying the beginning of the public consultation period originally scheduled for last week.

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Traffic Management Plan for Kilcullen — LAP

A Traffic Management Plan is to be prepared for Kilcullen during the lifetime of the Local Area Plan 2014-2020 for the town which is currently being considered in Draft form by Councillors, writes Brian Byrne.

In addition, the Council will investigate whether a lower speed limit is required in the town centre area to improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians and 'vulnerable' road users. Traffic calming measures will also be implemented on the northern approach to the town, to cut vehicle speeds.

The Draft LAP outlines how better cycle facilities will be provided through a cycle network study to be followed by a properly designed suitable cycle infrastructure on identified routes.

The Plan also envisages that existing footpaths will be refurbished, and that new footpaths and public lighting will be provided between the Link Business Park and the town centre area, and on the Sunnyhill Road. New lighting is also promised between the Main Street and the pedestrian access to the Valley Park.

The long-mooted new street between the Athy Road at the Kilcullen Business Campus and the Curragh Road is also part of the plan. From that junction, it is envisaged that another street will skirt the Pinkeen Stream edge of suggested new development in what's known locally as the Cattle Mart Field, coming out onto Main Street beside Bardons.

Similar new streets will connect any new development behind McTernans and Fallons to Main Street beside Brennan's Hardware, according to indicative Design Briefs for those areas.

Realignment and improvement works are proposed for the Sunnyhill Road junction opposite Castlemartin Stud, a bend on the Logstown Road, and on sections of the Newabbey and Sunnyhill roads.

Looking further, the Council is making it an objective to examine whether there will be a need for a Relief Road east of the town linking the Athy Road with the Naas Road, which would require a new bridge over the Liffey.

Councillors will be asked again at next Monday's monthly meeting to vote for publication of the Draft LAP. The matter was deferred at the last meeting, delaying the beginning of the public consultation period originally scheduled for last week.

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'Critical mass' required to grow retail in Kilcullen

Revitalisation and growth of retail business on Kilcullen's Main Street is largely dependent on development and regeneration of sites and properties on Main Street and other town centre lands, according to the Draft Local Area Plan 2014-2020 currently being considered by Councillors, writes Brian Byrne.

The planners note that while Kilcullen had no identified vacant retail space in 2001, a survey in 2009 found nine vacant retail units in the town centre area, and late last year that figure had climbed to 15. This is against a background of total retail floorspace increasing by 53 percent between 2001-2009. The document notes a 'lack of active frontages' along stretches of Main Street, and rundown and vacant premises which are a 'key element' of the streetscape that need to be 'restored and invigorated'.

The Draft LAP outlines a strategy promoting occupation of the vacant commercial and residential units in the town centre, as well as developing the potential of two identified 'expansion sites' which would provide a mix of retail, commercial and residential use with links back onto the Main Street. An 'unrealised opportunity' for urban renewal and investment could, if developed, provide a 'critical mass' of population and services that could secure the long term vitality and viability of the town centre, the Plan's authors say. Developing these sites might happen beyond the period of the new Plan.

Upper floors of some town centre properties could also be better used for commercial and residential purposes, the document suggests, while the street level should be kept for retail frontage. Residential uses in the town centre should be encouraged through such initiatives as 'Living over the Shop'.

Large-scale 'convenience format centres' will not be permitted in neighbourhood residential areas, and the town centre will be the 'priority location' for new retail development. The Council will facilitate re-use and regeneration of town centre derelict and 'brown field' land and buildings for retail and other town centre use.

The overall vision for Kilcullen, according to the Plan, is to create a 'vibrant and bustling town'. In particular, the document suggests a combination and linkage of 'unique heritage', retailing and tourism experience towards achieving this.

Councillors will be asked again at next Monday's monthly meeting to vote for publication of the Draft LAP. The matter was deferred at the last meeting, delaying the beginning of the public consultation period originally scheduled for last week.

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LAP envisages 700 more homes for Kilcullen

Area of Kilcullen LAP.

Kildare's planners estimate that something over 700 new residential units will be required in Kilcullen during the life of the Local Area Plan 2014-2020, writes Brian Byrne.

But they also reckon that the town was 'overzoned' for residential use by some 16 hectares under the LAP produced in 2008, so that amount of land has been rezoned to alternative uses under the new Draft Plan.

According to the relevant censuses, Kilcullen had 1,040 households in 2006, and this increased to 1,242 by 2011.

The new Plan has identified nine areas in the town where these new homes might be located, totalling some 30ha capable of accommodating 717 units. In terms of units numbers, the largest is the Newbridge Road with a suggested 198 homes. Following that are Logstown Road south and the Market Square road with 110 units each. Then Nicholastown (88), New Abbey Road (57), Logstown (50), Main Street (33) and Logstown Road north (30).

The planners have included 'indicative' Design Briefs for two of those areas in the LAP — the Mart and adjoining lands on the Newbridge Road, and the lands between Riverside Manor and the Main Street. The Plan describes these as 'broad planning parameters' for the future development of these areas.

There are also a number of opportunities for residential and other development in infill areas in the town centre area.

The policies and objectives underpinning the Draft LAP will restrict apartments development to town centre locations, but won't allow them where there is already an 'over concentration' of this kind of unit.

Restrictions will also be maintained on housing within the agricultural zoned lands.

Councillors will be asked again at next Monday's monthly meeting to vote for publication of the Draft LAP. The matter was deferred at the last meeting, delaying the beginning of the public consultation period originally scheduled for last week.

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Kilcullen Local Area Plan — how the system works

Kildare's councillors will again try and agree to publish the Draft Local Area Plan for Kilcullen 2014-2020 at their monthly meeting on 31 March, writes Brian Byrne.

The document was supposed to go for public consultation last week, but discussion was deferred at the previous meeting of the Council at the request of Cllrs Keatley, Miley and Wall of the Athy Local Electoral Area. It was suggested that because Kilcullen was reverting to the Naas Electoral Area for the upcoming elections that it might be better left for consideration by the new councillors who would be representing the town. The argument was also made that the councillors had only received their copy of the Draft Plan in the week before, and had little time to absorb it.

The County Manager was against delay, and the matter was put back until next week's meeting.

The 84-page document outlines the Council policy for Kilcullen's development up to 2020 against the background of the overall County Kildare Development Plan 2011-2017 and the Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area 2010-2022.

Once the councillors agree to its publication, the Draft LAP will go on public display for six weeks, to allow interested parties make submissions on its content. The County Manager will provide a report on those submissions to the Council some four weeks afterwards. The Council then has six weeks to consider the Plan before a vote on its adoption, or the insertion of any variances which seem necessary.

If there are such variances, then these have to go on public display for a further four weeks, and the Manager has a further four weeks to report to the Council on any further submissions.

It's very important that individuals, groups and organisations living within the Kilcullen LAP area study the Draft Plan and the implications of its content for their town, especially at its present stage of development. As the KCA-commissioned study Kilcullen 2017 — A Community Plan for Development showed, the demographic of the town is younger than the national average, and there is a strong need to ensure that the children who will grow into young adults here have a sustainable and well-designed community in which to do so.

We'll keep you informed on the Diary on the issue as we learn more about what's happening.

Kilcullen LAP discussion deferred

Kildare councillors have agreed to defer discussion on the Kilcullen Draft Local Area Plan until the next meeting of the Council, writes Brian Byrne.

This reflects a proposal made by Cllr Ivan Keatley at this afternoon's monthly meeting of the Council, which had been due to consider the working document for the Kilcullen and Monasterevin LAPs.

Cllr Keatley said that since part of Kilcullen was being moved back to the Naas Electoral Area for the May local elections, it would better serve the people of Kilcullen that the Plan be considered by the new Council, in particular the Councillors who would be elected to the new Naas Municipal Area to which all of Kilcullen will belong.

His proposal was seconded by Cllr Martin Miley, who noted also that it was too early to discuss the working document in detail, as it had only been made available to councillors last Thursday. He suggested that common sense dictated the matter should be put back until after the May elections. "We're here to serve the people of Kilcullen, and they would be better served if the matter was put back," he said.

Cllr Mark Wall said he agreed with his fellow Athy Electoral Area councillors, and that deferring the matter would also give the people of Kilcullen more time to consider the issues in the draft Plan.

The County Manager said he could argue that there would be ample time to consider the draft Plan when it went on public display, but he suggested the matter could be tabled for the next meeting of the Athy Area. If the councillors still felt it should be deferred, then that could be discussed at the next monthly meeting of the Council.

Cllr Keatley, who is chairman of the Athy Area Committee, said that would be helpful. It would also mean that the consultation period could be extended into the next Council.

The Council agreed to the proposal without a vote.

Council to consider 'working' LAP document

Kildare's councillors will consider the working document of the Kilcullen Draft Local Area Plan today before the document goes to public consultation on 19 March, writes Brian Byrne.

The Athy Area councillors have been perusing the document since last week, and the Area chairman Ivan Keatley will be briefed in advance of today's full Council meeting by the county's planners on the implications of detail of the working draft.

Public consultation will finish on April 29, after which time all submissions will be considered. Following a Manager's Report, the Draft LAP will be brought back to the Council in July.

The LAP sets out the planning and development objectives of the Council for the designated area, in line with the objectives of the County Development Plan 2011-2017.

The last Kilcullen LAP was adopted in 2008. It can be downloaded here by anyone who wants to compare it to the Draft which will go on view in March.

Submissions call for Local Area Plan

Kildare County Council has called for submissions on the next Local Area Plan for Kilcullen, writes Brian Byrne.

These submissions are open to everyone, and are an opportunity to influence the Draft LAP which will be produced in advance of the next public consultation on the matter.

The LAP sets out the planning and development objectives of the Council for the designated area, in line with the objectives of the County Development Plan 2011-2017.

An 'Issues Paper' has been prepared which identifies the key planning issues that the five local area plans for Kilcullen, Monasterevin, Sallins, Kilcock and Clane could address. It is available online, or can be viewed at Kildare County Council's Planning Department or in Kilcullen Community Library.

Submissions should be made by 5pm on Wednesday 6 March, in writing to Mary Foley, Administrative Officer, Forward Planning, Kildare County Council, or emailed to lapsubmissions@kildarecoco.ie by 5pm on that date. The submission should be marked on the envelope with the town name.

The last Kilcullen LAP was adopted in 2008.