As part of the public consultation for the Development Plans, a series of themed articles were published in the ‘Kilkenny People’ during Summer 2012. These articles will be reproduced on this blog, courtesy of Tess Felder, over the next few weeks. The articles were intended to provoke interest and stimulate debate. Please feel free to comment on any issue or question raised by the posts. The Draft Plan is being prepared at the moment, and will be published in June. In the meantime, anyone can make a comment or continue the debate on this site. All comments made will be considered in the next (Draft) phase of the process.
Have your say on the future of Kilkenny city (First published in Kilkenny People on Friday 1 June 2012)
Members of the public have a chance to offer their opinions on how Kilkenny city should change and grow as the city’s Development Plan for the next six years is drafted by Kilkenny Borough and County Councils.
Over the last number of years, there has been significant investment in Kilkenny. Issues such as public spaces, water supply and wastewater infrastructure, transport and pedestrian infrastructure, community facilities and many more, have been tackled. Key projects have been completed (The Watershed, the Parade, Radestown Water supply) and a number of others are currently under way (the Central Access Scheme and Purcellsinch waste water treatment plant upgrade).
Between 2006 and 2011, Kilkenny city’s growth outpaced the national growth rate. A total of 24,423 people now live in the city, according to Census 2011. This is a growth rate of 10.1% since 2006, compared to a national growth rate of 8.2%. This means that Kilkenny city continues to be an attractive place to live, which is good news. But increased population growth brings with it increased demands on services, and a need for new, quality residential developments.
.jpg)
How are our current services standing up to this increased pressure? Where are cracks beginning to show? What improvements are needed to meet the demands of this larger population? These are some of the questions the local authority will be considering in the Development Plan for 2014-2020.
The development strategy is based around the principle of the “compact city,” an urban layout that encourages walking and cycling. In this model, the city centre is supported by four neighbourhoods focused on neighbourhood centres: Loughboy/Archerstreet; Newpark Upper/Eastern Environs; Loughmacask; and Poulgour/Wetlands/Western Environs.
Each is at a different stage of development, and residents are asked to consider whether their neighbourhood has the facilities and services it needs, and what could be done to improve the area.
The council will also be asking: How can footpaths and cycleways be progressed further with limited resources? Should the one-way system for the city centre, which has been shelved for the present, be restored in order to improve shoppers’ experience in the city, or do the costs outweigh the gains? Will any opportunities emerge with the completion of the Central Access Scheme, and how can this change be best managed? What should be done with the St Francis Abbey Brewery site?
If you are a registered member on this site, please make a new comment below and continue the debate.
