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Bennettsbridge Local Area Plan

• Bennettsbridge Draft Local Area Plan - Proposed Amendments

• 1.Introduction
• 2.The Village of Bennettsbridge
• 3.Policy Context
• 4.Local Area Plan Strategy
• 5.Strategic Opportunities for the Village
• 6.Development Parameters and Indicative Framework Plan for New Residential Area
• 7.Development Management Guidelines and Standards
• Appendix 1 Zoning Map

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1.Introduction

1.1.1

Castlecomer is situated 12 miles north of Kilkenny city in North-East County Kilkenny and is the third largest town in the County. The town is an important market and service centre for the agricultural hinterland, which is one of the most densely populated rural areas in the Country. Transport connections to the town are provided by the N78, a national secondary route that links the town with Kilkenny City, Athy and Dublin, the R694 route which links Castlecomer with Ballyragget and the R426 route links it with Abbeyleix. Castlecomer has been designated as a town by the 2006 Census of population.

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1.2 What is a Local Area Plan?

1.2.1

The Castlecomer Local Area Plan 2008-2014 provides the written statement and accompanying maps that will manage the development and growth of Castlecomer over the six year plan period.

1.2.2

The Castlecomer Local Area Plan 2008-2014 (the Plan) has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as Amended 2002 and 2006) and sets out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the town.

1.2.3

The Plan will comprise the statutory land use plan for the town in the promotion and regulation of development and therefore provides a clear vision for Castlecomer, reflecting the needs of the existing and future population. It will provide for the development of Castlecomer by setting out zoning and other objectives for the proper planning and sustainable development of the town, considering the needs of the town, and informing and coordinating decisions on planning applications. The Plan plays a key role in translating overarching County Development Plan policies and objectives at the local level.

1.2.4

Colin Buchanan & Partners have also, on behalf on the Kilkenny County Council, produced an Environmental Report in compliance with the European Union SEA Directive (2001/42/EC) and related government guidelines which accompanies this Draft LAP. The central purpose of this report is to provide information on any existing environmental problems in the town, to set out the likely significant effects of the plan on the environment and possible mitigation measures with a view to improving the environmental performance of the LAP.

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1.3 Legal Status

1.3.1

The Plan is a legal document that replaces the Castlecomer Local Area Plan 2002 -2008. The Castlecomer Local Area Plan 2008-2014 is a separate statutory planning document from that of the Kilkenny County Development Plan 2008 - 2014. The areas adjoining the town boundary are governed by the policies of the Kilkenny County Development Plan 2008-2014, whilst the Castlecomer Local Area Plan governs any development within the town’s administrative boundary.

1.3.2

The Plan covers the period from 2008 to 2014 and will be valid for a period of 6 years from the date of its adoption by Kilkenny County Council subject to any reviews, variations and alterations made in the future.

1.3.3

This Plan should be read in conjunction with relevant policies and objectives of the Kilkenny County Development Plan 2008 – 2014.

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1.4 Plan Implementation

1.4.1

The Council will seek to implement the aims, policies and objectives of the plan in a proactive manner. The Council will engage with all relevant stakeholders, both statutory and non-statutory agencies and organisations through the development control process. The Plan is the main instrument for regulation and control of development. The Council is required to assess development proposals in accordance with the policies and objectives set out in the Plan.

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1.5 Monitoring & Review

1.5.1

The Plan cannot foresee all events that may arise over the lifetime of the Plan, thus it is imperative that the Council regularly monitor the Plan and vary or amend the Plan if deemed appropriate.

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1.6 The Local Area Plan Preparation Process

1.6.1

The pre draft stage comprised of collating baseline information, the preparation and publication of an Issues Paper, stakeholder consultation, a public consultation event and pre draft submissions which were invited from 17th Dec 07 – 7th February 08. The preparation of the Draft Plan including policies and objectives resulted from extensive research, site survey work and consideration of issues arising from the public and stakeholder consultation. The Draft Plan was then presented to the Castlecomer Area Elected Members prior to public display.

1.6.2

The Draft Plan will be on Public Display for a period of 6 weeks from 11th July until 22nd August 2008 during which submissions or observations will be invited from the public. No later that 12 weeks after the Draft Plan has been put on public display a Managers Report on the submissions or observations received will be produced. This report will list the persons who made submissions or observations, summarise the issues raised and will be presented to elected members. Elected Members will then vote to make or amend the plan according to the recommendations within the Managers report. If required, amendments will be made to the content of the Plan and it will be presented as an amended Draft to the Elected Members for their approval and put on public display for a period of 4 weeks during which time submissions or observations will be invited from the public on the amendments to Draft Plan.

1.6.3

Adoption of the Plan is the final stage of the plan process and will include the preparation and presentation of a Manager’s report on observations so that they may vote to make or amend the Plan.

Figure 1.1:Stages in the Preparation of a Local Area Plan

Figure 1.1:Stages in the Preparation of a Local Area Plan

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1.7 Stakeholder consultation & Summary of issues raised

1.7.1

A pre draft consultation event for the Castlecomer Local Area Plan (LAP) took place on 10th January 2008 at Castlecomer Community School. The purpose of the meeting was to set out the process involved in producing a LAP, the work undertaken to date and provided an overview of the emerging issues that formed the basis of discussion with stakeholders and members of the local community in attendance.

1.7.2

Stakeholders and members of the local community formed discussion groups and discussed issues relating to the following topics:

• Population and Settlement
• Housing
• Employment and Industry
• Retail
• Community
• Infrastructure
• Heritage
• Agriculture
• Tourism

1.7.3

A summary of the consultation responses is set out in Appendix 3.