Castlecomer Local Area Plan Pre Draft Consultation Workshop Thursday 10 th January 2008 Castlecommer Community School www.cbuchanan.ie
Agenda for this evening… � Introductions, purpose and format of consultation � Introduction to Local Area Plan process � Work undertaken to date � Identification of emerging issues � Discussions relating to key issues identified after each topic covered � Summary of findings Agenda for this evening…
www.cbuchanan.ie Introduction
Introduction � Colin Buchanan appointed to prepare an Local Area Plan on behalf of Kilkenny County Council in October 2007. � Plan to be prepared in consultation with the officials, key stakeholders, Elected Members and local people. � LAP due for adoption in June 2008 Introductions
www.cbuchanan.ie Purpose of this evening…
� To explain the process � To outline key issues that are likely to shape our recommendations � To listen to your views Purpose of Consultation Workshop…
www.cbuchanan.ie Local Area Plan process
� The Local Area Plan (LAP) sets out the strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of an area over a 6 year period. � A LAP consists of a written statement and a plan or plans outlining objectives for the plan area and includes the zoning of land. � The policies & objectives contained within the LAP must be consistent with the objectives of the County Development Plan. � It is mandatory for a planning authority to make an LAP if an area is designated as a ‘town’ in the census. What is an Local Area Plan (LAP)?
� Project Inception & Initial Research – October 2007 – Jan 2008 Pre Draft submissions invited from 17 th Dec 07 – 25 th Jan 08 � � Public Consultation & preparation of Draft LAP Jan – Feb 08 � Draft LAP presented to Elected Members – Feb 08 � Draft LAP put on Public Display for 6 weeks - Feb / Mar 08 � Draft LAP presented to Public - March 08 � Submissions invited from Public - Feb / Mar 08 � Managers Report - March / April 08 � Presentation to Elected Members on Observations - April 08 Local Area Plan Timetable
� Elected Members vote to make or amend Plan – April 08 � Amendments to LAP – April / May 08 � Present Amended Draft LAP to Elected Members - May 08 � Amended Draft LAP placed on public display for 4 weeks – May 08 � Observations invited from the public on amendments to Draft LAP – May – June 08 � Managers Report - March / April 08 � Presentation to Elected Members on Observations - April 08 � Elected Members vote to make or amend Plan – April 08 Local Area Plan Timetable cont’d
Proposed Plan Layout � Introduction � Strategic Planning Context � General Context � Area Capacity & Needs Assessment � Plan Objectives � Plan / Masterplan Description & Development Controls � Implementation � Strategic Environmental Assessment (if required) � Appendices including: land use table and parking standards � Maps including: Masterplan, open space provision, zoning amendments Proposed Plan Contents
Consultation Ongoing Existing Land Use Survey Complete Review of Planning Register Done Complete Population Statistics Analysis Complete Transport Survey Work Complete Zoning Requirements Pending Identification of lands suitable for development Ongoing Issues Paper Complete Meetings / Discussions with Kilkenny Co Co Ongoing Map Objectives, Opportunity Sites & zone land Pending Draft of Policies, Objectives and Development Pending Management Standards SEA Screening Ongoing Progress to Date
www.cbuchanan.ie Emerging Issues
� 2002 – 2006 saw an increase of 3.3% in Castlecomer. � Castlecomer population was 1531 in 2006 � Kilkenny County population is projected to increase by between 19.9% - 34.3% by 2020. � Reasonable to assume a growth of somewhere between 5% and 10% in the population of Castlecomer up to 2020. Population & Settlement Strategy
Castlecomer Zoning Map 2002 - 2006
� How can the LAP enable continued population growth? � Can the additional population be catered for on existing serviced land or should new land be serviced and zoned? � If new land is zoned for development, where should this be located? � What level of growth is appropriate in the different parts of the town? � Should any particular area of the town be prioritised for development? Population & Settlement: Key Issues for discussion
www.cbuchanan.ie Discussion
� Limited pressure on the housing stock in Castlecomer in the last few years given the relatively small increase in population. � However, the LAP must ascertain demand and ensure sufficient housing is supplied to meet demand. Housing
� Is there a need to zone further lands for residential? � Is there any derelict houses suitable for refurbished? � What provision should be made for social and affordable housing? � Should housing be concentrated in the town centre or on the outskirts of town? � How can housing be developed in such a way as to improve the urban experience? � What social, economic or cultural facilities should be provided in residential areas? � Can the LAP help to avoid linear developments along the exit routes from the town? Housing: Key Issues for Discussion
www.cbuchanan.ie Discussion
� The labour force in Kilkenny County is projected to increase by between 15% - 20% by 2020. � Therefore the labour force in Castlecomer could expand significantly. � Castlecomer serves as the market town and service centre for its hinterland with business activity concentrated in the town centre. Employment & Industry
� How can the LAP encourage sustainable levels of employment? � Can/should land be zoned to encourage such employment? � Can /should employment be brought into the town centre to stimulate regeneration? � Would mixed use developments encourage sustainable levels of employment? � How can the LAP encourage new enterprises to set up in the area? � What type of enterprises should be encouraged to set up in the area? � Should industry be encouraged to locate on land that is currently zoned residential? � Can more be done to capitalise on the natural resources of the area? Employment & Industry: Key Issues for Discussion….
www.cbuchanan.ie Discussion
� Retail is currently concentrated in the centre of the town, which provides an attractive setting as it has a number of high quality buildings in its environs. Retail
� Can Castlecomer compete with Kilkenny City as a retail destination? � What level of retail is required or desirable? � Where should retail be located? � How can retail be increased without having a negative impact on local business and the community? � What parking facilities are required to make retail accessible? � How can pedestrians, cyclists and public transport accessed be improved to facilitate retail? Retail: Key Issues for Discussion
www.cbuchanan.ie Discussion
� Castlecomer is relatively well serviced by community facilities. � The LAP will seek to maintain/upgrade existing facilities and to introduce new facilities where that is possible. Community
� Is there sufficient open space and community facilities? � What extra facilities should be provided? � If new facilities are to be provided, where should they be located? � Do existing facilities need to be upgraded? � Can access/transport to facilities be improved? � What role could the LAP play in addressing antisocial behaviour and increasing community security? � Is the Market Square area being utilized to its full potential? Community: Key Issues for discussion….
www.cbuchanan.ie Discussion
� Existing service infrastructure is under pressure i.e. water, sewage, etc.. � Town experience congestion problems as there is not bypass. � Narrow Bridge catering for all through traffic. Infrastructure: Key Issues for discussion….
� How can waste water services be upgraded as quickly and efficiently as possible? � What infrastructure developments should be prioritised? � How can walking, cycling and public transport be developed? � How can public transport services be improved to enable people to leave their cars at home? � Can traffic flows and parking be better organised? � Is there a need for additional pedestrian crossings? � Could a portion of the Market Square area be pedestrianised? � Congestion and parking issues can have a detrimental effect upon the form and function of any busy town. How may the upcoming LAP address this subject? � Is there a case for a new vehicular bridge entering the town? � Is a new traffic management plan required for the town? � What improvements can be made at junctions in the town? Infrastructure: Key Issues for discussion…
www.cbuchanan.ie Discussion
� Castlecomer is c. 250 years old and it enjoys a rich historical character. � Castlecomer is an Estate village. � It is the ambition of the LAP to maintain and enhance this character. Heritage
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