3 Employment,
Retailing & Education |
|
Aim:
To give an improved quality of life through sustainable employment opportunities
for the population of the County through the implementation of policies
for the sustainable development of the County.
Since 1994 Plan the economic climate has changed considerably with the
substantial growth in the Irish Economy.
Over the period of this plan national economic performance will be dependent
on the ability to respond to the constantly evolving requirements of international
competitiveness.
The most recent source of detailed information on employment in County
Kilkenny is the 1996 Census of population.
Kilkenny workforce has the following characteristics:
• The percentage of people employed in agriculture has continued
to decrease. In 1996 17.5 % worked in agriculture compared to 24% in 1986.
This figure is 7% higher than the national average.
• Of persons above the age of 15 living in Co. Kilkenny 25% hold
third level qualifications as compared with a National average of 33%.
• The workforce is set to grow further in the coming years.
• From the population projections carried out for the Council it
is estimated that the workforce currently stands at 34,372 and this is
predicted to grow to 36,907 by the year 2004.
• The figures also show that there are 34.9% of the workforce in
Kilkenny employed in white collar jobs which indicates that the proportion
working in professional services is high in Kilkenny City compared to
other towns.
Unemployment in County Kilkenny is similar to national figures. Unemployment
rates have been falling due to the strong performance of the Irish economy
and the growing workforce.
The total number on the live register in County Kilkenny in August 99
was 6,244 which had fallen to 4,508 by August 2000.*
* The live register includes those in part time employment as well as
those unemployed.
3.3 Employment
Industry & Enterprise |
Since the adoption of the last Plan there have been major developments
in the County which include –
• The development of Belview Port
• Lead & zinc mining at Galmoy
• Louisiana Pacific – strand board fabrication
• Growth in urban and rural tourism.
• Increased retail activity in Kilkenny City.
At present industrial lands are located in Kilkenny City and in Belview
adjacent to Waterford Port. Lands for industrial development in Kilkenny
City are located at the Hebron industrial estate owned by the County Council;
at Purcells Inch owned by the IDA and at the newly established Business
and Technology Park developed by the IDA at Loughboy. Smaller parcels
of land for industrial development are located in the following towns
and villages. Castlecomer, Callan, Thomastown, Graiguenamanagh and Ballyragget.
Kilkenny has not to date attracted substantial foreign direct investment.
Gross job gains have been negligible.
Kilkenny County Enterprise Board was established in 1993 with a brief
to promote an enterprise culture and provide training and assistance to
both new and established businesses in the City and County. A study carried
out on behalf of the County Enterprise Board shows that small enterprises
provide the vast majority of employment in Kilkenny and account for 90%
of all businesses.
The Leader programme was established by the E.U in response to the changing
nature of agriculture and the recognition that the Common Agricultural
Policy as it operated in the past could not continue. The pilot LEADER
programme ran from 1992 to 1994 and was extended to 1999. The Government
has decided to introduce a national mainstream LEADER programme under
the National Development Plan 2000 - 2006.
Leader gives support in the areas of
- Technical support to rural communities
- Training and recruitment assistance
- Craft enterprises and local produce
- Exploitation of local produce
- Environmental improvement
- Transitional and inter-territorial co-operation.
- Rural tourism.
The Council has an important role to play in facilitating industrial
development within the County. This ranges from its direct role in the
provision of essential infrastructure to its close co operation with the
agencies which have an established remit for specific intervention in
this area and through its direct and indirect involvement with local development
companies and organisations such as the County Enterprise Board, Leader,
KIDCO, Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce and Industry, IBEC and other development
agencies in the County.
The Planning Authority will support economic development by:
- Identifying areas offering opportunities for job creation
- Provision of an adequate road system within the County.
- Provision of sanitary services and other urban infrastructure.
- Zoning of sufficient land for industrial and commercial activity.
- Protecting and enhancing the natural and built environment as important
assets for development e.g. tourism, recreation and education.
- Sustainable management of natural resources e.g. land, water and minerals
which contribute to the provision of jobs.
- Helping to make towns and villages attractive to inward investment.
- Facilitating housing development for workers
- Dealing efficiently with development proposals through the planning
control system.
It will be the policy of the Council to facilitate the creation of new
employment opportunities in the county by:
a) Ensuring that sufficient land is zoned for industrial and commercial
development.
b) Facilitating where possible the expansion of existing industries and
businesses and the development of new industrial or service sector undertakings
c) Supporting with the IDA in the promotion of foreign direct investment
and establishment of new industries in the County.
d) . Facilitating and encouraging the establishment of small scale light
industries which are considered compatible with surrounding uses on suitable
sites.
e) Supporting the County Enterprise Board in the fostering and promotion
of indigenous enterprises within the County.
f) Supporting in conjunction with the LEADER programme and co-operating
with Local Area Partnerships in rural development projects.
g) Supporting Enterprise Ireland in the promotion of inward investment
in the County
h) Preparing an integrated industrial development strategy for the County
through the County Development Board in conjunction with KIDCO the County
Enterprise Board, LEADER local area partnerships and Enterprise Ireland.
i) Facilitating the provision of childcare facilities in appropriate locations
thereby promoting labour market participation among parents and supporting
parents in accessing training, education and employment.
During the life of the Development Plan it is an objective of the Council
to identify strategic locations, outside of the existing urban areas,
for industrial development within the county in conjunction with Enterprise
Ireland, the I.D.A. and the County Enterprise Board to facilitate inward
investment into the county and having compatibility with the County Development
Board’s policy for industrial development as outlined in it’s
document “A strategy for Economic Social and Cultural Development”.
The Council acknowledges the importance of the retail industry in the
County in providing for the needs of residents and visitors and as a source
of employment.
Since the adoption of the last plan the Government has issued Retail
Planning Guidelines (RPG) as a response to recent trends in the retailing
sector.
The Council engaged consultants to prepare a retail strategy for inclusion
in this development plan.
3.4.1
Retail Planning Guidelines |
The Retail Planning Guidelines require the following matters to be included
in development plans:
i Confirmation of the retail hierarchy, the role of centres and the size
of the main town centres;
ii Definition in the development plan of the boundaries of the core shopping
area of town centres;
iii A broad assessment of the requirement for additional retail floorspace;
iv Strategic guidance on the location and scale of retail development;
v Preparation of policies and action initiatives to encourage the improvement
of town centres; and
vi Identification of criteria for the assessment of retail developments.
A key requirement output from the County Retail Strategy was to confirm
or otherwise the retail hierarchy and also the role of centres and size
of main town centres. Certain principles require to be considered in determining
the outcome/advice in respect of these three factors:
• The need to protect and enhance the importance of Kilkenny City
Centre and the local market town functions of the four scheduled towns
• The distribution of new retail floorspace should be linked to
the existing and future retail hierarchy of the County and should be appropriate
in scale and character to the hierarchical role of the centre
• The distribution of new retail floorspace should broadly reflect
the distribution of population growth, where market conditions allow
• The need to reduce as far as is practicable the demand for travel
and the consequential support for centres well supported by public transport
• The desire to facilitate a competitive retail industry and to
encourage retail innovation
• Some forms of retailing may be inappropriate for a town centre
location and in the interests of enhancing choice, competition and innovation,
they should be accommodated in locations offering good levels of accessibility
by both public and private transport
• Linking the distribution of retailing and population is likely
to be far more practical in convenience than in the comparison sector
– there is more scope for spend retention in the former than the
latter and hence the importance of looking at both the higher value and
bulky goods markets if comparison expenditure is to be retained.
In determining the retail hierarchy, in addition to considering these
principles, it is necessary to take due account of the RPGs definition
of what the characteristics are for the different tiers in the hierarchy.
When the different existing or proposed retail centres are reviewed against
these definitions, it is clear that at a sub-national level some of these
tiers are too broad and more appropriate for the more metropolitan areas
of the country. A modification of the tiers is proposed to better reflect
the retail structure of the County. This is illustrated in Figure 3.1
below and the roles within this hierarchy described in the paragraphs
that follow.
Figure
3.1
County Kilkenny Retail Hierarchy |
Retail Function |
Centre |
Major Town Centre/County Town |
Kilkenny City |
Sub County Town Centre |
Callan
Castlecomer
Graiguenamanagh
Thomastown |
District Centre |
Waterford City Environs |
Village Centre/Neighbourhood Centre |
Mullinavat
Poulgour Townland
Newpark/New Orchard
Loughboy
Slieverue
Upper and Lower Kilmacow
Urlingford |
|
3.4.3
Major Town Centre/County Town |
Kilkenny City is the only centre within this tier. The Retail Study illustrated
that the City Centre is dominated by comparison floorspace (nearly 71.5%
of City Centre floorspace) that serves an extensive catchment area reflecting
its County Town function. The City Centre in view of its role and its
attraction to visitors and tourists has potential for additional comparison
floorspace, including some higher value shopping. This is appropriate
for sustaining its role as a Major Town Centre.
3.4.4 Sub
County Town Centre |
- Callan, Castlecomer, Graiguenamanagh and Thomastown. Although all are
of limited size in population terms, they support a range of floorspace,
both convenience and comparison (see Table 5.2 of The Retail Study), confirming
their role as market towns for their hinterlands. As has been noted, the
four scheduled towns are not set to increase in population size significantly
over the development plan period. From the County Kilkenny Housing Strategy
2001-2006, the estimated total population increase for all of the towns
is 1,602 and there will be only very limited housing development in their
hinterlands. These facts plus retail trends would indicate that there
will be little potential for any significant increase in retail floorspace
apart from that of a scale to serve local and hinterland needs.
There are currently no District Centres in the County. The RPGs state:
“Normally, the provision of additional centres will be based on
major growth in population or a clear proven level of existing underprovision.”
On the basis of the planned major growth in population in the Waterford
City Environs and the lack of easily accessible quality retail floorspace
north of Waterford City Centre, It is recommended that there is a need
for a District Centre within Waterford City Environs. The RPGs state the
following in respect of purpose built district centres:
“They are usually anchored by a large foodstore and contain a range
of unit shops and non-retail service outlets (such as banks, post office
or hairdressers).”
The lands zoned for housing in the County Development Plan in the Waterford
City Environs will accommodate over 4,000 residential units bringing a
population of some 12,000. In 1996, the area had a population of 1,615.
The combined end population will be over 13,615 which will be nearly 20%
of the planned 70,000 population of Waterford City. A total population
of the size proposed requires a greater range of goods and services within
close proximity than Neighbourhood Centres typically provide. The District
Centre will reduce the need to travel to centres in Waterford City Centre
and south of the city and this meets the RPGs test of ‘efficient,
equitable and sustainable’. Of the three potential locations in
the draft plan, the site on the N25 adjacent to Abbeylands is the most
central to the area with ready access to public transport and thus best
meets this test.
3.4.6 Village
Centre/Neighbourhood Centre |
This definition captures the tier above that of simply a Corner Shop
and comprises a small range of mainly convenience outlets to serve a very
local population. In the list under this definition in Figure 3.1, (p14)
with the exception of Poulgour Townland, the centres are existing centres.
3.4.7 Western
Environs of Kilkenny City |
Poulgour Townland is in the Western Environs of Kilkenny City. In this
Development plan, there are substantial lands zoned for housing. The total
population will be over 5,000 in time. Within the development plan period,
it is likely half of the development will take place. Give proximity to
the City Centre and other existing floorspace, reflecting the small size
of the forecast population over the plan period, the zoning for a Neighbourhood
Centre in Poulgour Townland was adopted. The nature of the development,
in line with the RPGs definition is:
“Small groups of shops, typically comprising a newsagent, small
supermarket/general grocery store, sub-post office and other small shops
of a local nature serving a small, localised catchment population.”
The position with regard to progress on residential development at Poulgour
Townland should be kept under review over the plan period to ensure that
the expanding population’s needs are met not solely in respect to
shopping but wider community, cultural, commercial and social needs.
3.4.8
Definition of the core shopping area of towns |
The definition of the core shopping area relates only to Kilkenny City
Centre, the scheduled towns are of too small a scale to warrant such an
approach. In arriving at the definition, regard was had to:
i The definition and policies in the draft development plan; and
ii The experience from around the country and the UK.
The policies in the Development plan rightly seek to promote and reinforce
the primary shopping area and to protect the retail function of that area.
The main retail frontage areas in the City Centre streets are covered
by the following streets: Parliament Street/Market Cross, High Street,
Patrick Street, The Market Yard/St Kieran’s Street, Rose Inn Street
and John Street, but not all can be termed the core shopping area floorspace.
Core shopping areas are normally characterised by a mix of factors including:
• Prime pitch rentals
• No vacancies and high demand
• Predominance of national and international multiples and few leisure
and non-retail uses
• High pedestrian foot flow.
Taking account of the above factors, the core shopping area more appropriately
comprises Parliament Street/Market Cross, High Street, Rose Inn Street,
and St Kieran’s Street. This, plus the varying 400m edge of centre
isochrones are identified in Map 3.4.
The RPGs define the Sequential Test and what should be endorsed as an
edge of centre site. This is a site that is of the order of 300 –
400 metres from the edge of the prime shopping area. The larger the defined
core or prime shopping area then the greater scope to diffuse retail floorspace
around a wider area. This would bring policy conflicts and a potential
wider distribution of floorspace. The result could be a real threat of
weakening not strengthening the prime shopping area. Whilst there appears
to be little difference in the two isochrones, from experience the difference
is very important in terms of how Local Planning Authorities can address
proposals and planning applications.
3.4.9 Broad
Assessment of the requirement of additional retail floorspace and
strategic locations |
Based on Table 3.4.9, over the development plan period there is of the
order of £18.73 – 21.03m of net additional convenience and
£56.47 – 65.07m comparison spend to support additional retail
floorspace in the County. This is floorspace that will have a strategic
bearing on sustaining the County’s competitiveness and meeting need.
Table 3.4.9 - Forecast
Expenditure Growth Potential (£m 2000 prices) |
|
Convenience |
Comparison |
Total |
2001 – 2007 |
18.73 –20.03 |
56.47 – 65.07 |
75.3 – 86.1 |
In practice, different types of retailing and retailing formats have different
turnover ratio figures. Based on work for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA)
Retail Strategy, a set of turnover figures has been derived that cover
the range of different formats. These figures have been used in quantifying
the spend required for floorspace with extant planning permission. The
turnover ratios have been informed by consultations with the retail industry.
They are presented in Table 3.4.10 below.
Table
3.4.10 – Turnover Ratios |
Type |
Turnover/m2(£) |
Convenience |
|
Superstore/supermarket |
10,000 |
Local convenience shopping |
8,500 |
|
|
Comparison |
|
High Order Town Centre |
5,900 |
Middle Order Town Centre |
4,500 |
Retail Parks |
3,500 |
Source: DTZ Pieda Consulting July 2001 |
When these figures are set against the available potential spend, an
interesting picture begins to emerge. For example, there would be capacity
for the order of an extra 1,870 – 2,100m2 of superstore/supermarket
floorspace or 2,200 – 2,475m2 of local convenience floorspace. In
respect of the former, this net figure is the equivalent to a superstore
that is of a larger size than the existing Dunnes Store (grocery part
only) or Superquinn in Kilkenny City Centre (1,350m2 and 1,200m2 respectively).
The floorspace for the latter would be equivalent to between 18-21 small
supermarkets.
Across the different comparison retail categories, the different potential
floorspace would be as follows:
• High order town centre: 9,570 – 11,030m2
• Middle order town centre: 12,550 – 14,460m2
• Retail parks: 16,150 – 18,690m2
To put these into context in terms of the size of the developments, accepting
that the examples are a mix of both convenience and comparison floorspace,
the Market Cross Shopping Centre is 5,710m2 (net) in size and the Dunnes
Department Store is 3,950m2 (net) in size. Using these examples, there
is comparison expenditure potential for 2-3 Market Cross Shopping Centres
or 3-4 Dunnes Store equivalents. If all this spend was diverted to bulky
goods, there would be almost a three fold increase in the County’s
current floorspace.
3.4.10
Scale and Distribution of Floorspace |
To determine the scale and distribution of new convenience and comparison
floorspace the following factors require to be considered:
i Sequential Approach;
ii Land Availability; and
iii Need.
3.4.11 Sequential
Approach |
The RPGs set down advice on how the location of development should be
assessed. This is commonly known as the Sequential Approach or Test. In
summary, the key considerations or tests are:
• The preferred location for new development where practicable
and viable is within a town centre or district centre or major village
centre
• Where the above is not possible due to the form and scale of development
then consideration can be given to a site on the edge of a town centre
as this will encourage the possibility of one journey serving several
purposes
• An edge of centre site is taken to be one which is within an easy
and convenient walking distance from the primary core of a town centre
– although this will vary, it is unlikely to be more than 300-400
metres from the edge of the prime shopping area
• Alternative sites should only be considered when it can be demonstrated
that there are no town centre and edge of centre sites that are suitable,
viable and available.
3.4.12 Strategic
Location of Floorspace |
On the basis of the retail hierarchy and the distribution of the existing
and future population over the plan period and beyond, on a strategic
basis the location for any major new floorspace will be at the following,
taking due account of the above tests:
• Kilkenny City and its Environs
• Waterford City Environs.
This strategic response does not seek to prevent either convenience or
comparison floorspace that meets local needs being permitted within Sub
County Towns or Village Centres/Neighbourhood Centres, subject of course
to the Sequential Test and proven need.
3.4.13 Waterford
Environs District Centre |
In the review of the hierarchy within the County, it was recommended
that in view of the amount of zoned land and population that will stem
from the residential development, the Waterford City Environs within County
Kilkenny requires a District Centre to meet local retail, community, cultural
and social needs. The District Centre will be multi-functional to ensure
a range of community needs are met within easy travelling distance by
foot, bicycle, car and public transport. It will provide both convenience
and comparison floorspace with the greater balance being towards the former.
The maximum size of supermarket to be developed shall not exceed that
permitted in the retail planning guidelines. The amount of comparison
floorspace to be provided shall be such that the greater balance of floorspace
will be towards convenience with the actual amount of comparison floorspace
subject to the outcome of a retail impact assessment and based on fulfilling
local need.
The following should however be noted:
• Retail development in advance of substantial residential/mixed
use development would be difficult to defend against Sequential Test arguments
• The District Centre could provide the catalyst to get people and
investment to locate north of the River Suir.
It is the policy of the Council to engage with Waterford Corporation,
Waterford County Council and Wexford County Council in the preparation
and adoption of a joint retail strategy for the greater Waterford area.
3.4.14 Kilkenny
City Environs |
It is important to distinguish between two types of retailing that could
occur in the Kilkenny City Environs over the development plan period:
• Neighbourhood Centre
• Bulky goods retail parks
3.4.15 Neighbourhood
Centre |
The centre at Poulgour Townland is the only Neighbourhood Centre identified
in the retail strategy. Other neighbourhood centres in Kilkenny City and
Environs are Loughboy (existing) and Newpark (proposed) As has been noted
earlier in this section, the scale and range of services that should be
provided in these centres will be consistent with the definition of a
Neighbourhood Centre in the RPGs. The objective of the plan should not
be to inhibit the expansion of the Neighbourhood Centre but to meet the
needs of the local community if residential development occurs at a faster
pace than envisaged. It is recognised that, set against the current settlement
structure of the County, Poulgour Townland will in time be a new large
urban area in the City and County. The development plan should recognise
this and as such ensure land is available for the expansion of its functions
and role beyond the period of the plan. The zoning in the Development
plan protects this.
3.4.16
Bulky Goods/ Retail Parks |
Based on experience elsewhere, spend on bulky goods/retail parks is some
15% of total comparison spend. This is in fact largely reflected in the
amount of out of City Centre bulky good/retail park floorspace in our
floorspace survey. Using that guideline, there is capacity for some 2,428
– 2,771 m2 of bulky good retail park floorspace over the plan period.
This noted, the following should be considered when addressing this distinct
sector of the retail market:
• The RPGs cap for retail parks is 8,000 – 15,000m2
• At this size, the RPGs state that there should be no adverse affect
on important town centres but there could be on smaller centres
• The turnover of a park within the RPGs cap size range would be
between £28 – 52.5m – some 49%-80% of available comparison
spend to 2007 depending on which scenario comes true
• A large scale retail warehouse park combined with large edge of
centre comparison floorspace development could have an adverse cumulative
effect on the City Centre, although it could be argued that the three
locations would offer a very different kind of shopping
• To achieve the quality and critical mass of retail warehousing,
the amount of potential available spend would be enhanced if there were
relocations of existing retailers/operators from around the City’s
industrial estates/other locations.
To these add the following important factors for consideration:
i To ensure the “efficient, equitable and sustainable” distribution
of retail warehousing floorspace a strategic approach is required founded
on accessibility and potential linkage of journeys and land uses;
ii The quality of the existing retail warehousing/bulky goods floorspace
is overall poor and dispersed;
iii Some 25% of the County’s residents are travelling to other locations
outside the County to meet their needs in this sector;
iv To secure the attraction of leading multiples requires a critical mass
of floorspace – such as the range identified in the RPGs; and
v The RPGs require retail strategies to provide a broad assessment of
the requirement for additional floorspace.
3.4.17 Guidance
on Location of Bulky goods/ Retail Parks |
Taking these and preceding factors into consideration, the following
will guide the location for bulky goods/retail warehousing parks:
• Over time, but beyond the timescale of the development plan,
retail warehousing parks should be located in all quarters of the City’s
Environs
• Provision of infrastructure with capacity to ensure traffic impacts
and congestion are minimised will be a key determining factor in the selection
of appropriate sites, with public transport and other modes of access
also being achievable
• The need to provide a quality, purpose built retail warehouse
park to capture expenditure leakage and improve the offer and attraction
of the City and its Environs – the capacity assessment would not
enable this and thus a more substantial development within the RPG’s
parameters is required
• Relocation and upgrading of existing operations will be encouraged
– this will contribute to addressing broad capacity factors
• Whilst Kilkenny City Centre is a strong centre, it is also a small
centre. The combination of the IAP Site and a retail warehouse park will
significantly increase the comparison floorspace in the City and its Environs.
To protect the vitality and viability of the City Centre, it is recommended
that over the development plan period the lower figure in the RPGs cap
(8,000m2) is adopted as the maximum size for the retail warehousing for
Kilkenny City and Environs as defined in the Development Plan for Kilkenny
City and Environ
3.4.18 Policies
and action initiatives |
To provide the framework for progressing and implementing the City and
County Retail Strategy, the following retail policies and initiatives
are itemised below.
Policies
Retail Hierarchy: the principles underpinning the retail hierarchy and
the retail hierarchy are set out above in section 3.4.1 and 3.4.2.
District Centre: to meet the needs of both a major growth in population
and the clear existing underprovision of modern retail floorspace in the
Waterford City Environs, a site for a District Centre should be designated
in the County Development Plan. The site that best meets the RPGs tests
and the assessment criteria detailed in the following sub-section is that
adjacent to Abbeylands on the N25. To ensure a range of community needs
are met with in easy travelling distance by foot, bicycle, car and public
transport, this District Centre should be multi-functional and provide
both convenience and comparison floorspace with the greater balance being
towards the former.
Neighbourhood Centre: the Neighbourhood Centre proposed in the draft
development plan at Poulgour Townland should be an adopted objective in
the County Development Plan. The range of functions and services appropriate
to such a designation are as those set down in the RPGs definition. To
ensure that the needs of the growing population continue to be met over
time, the nature and function of this new centre should be kept under
review over the plan period.
Edge of Centre Development: as there are no suitable or available sites
for major retail development in Kilkenny City Centre, in accordance with
the Sequential Test the edge of the City Centre was looked to. Taking
full consideration of capacity, cumulative impacts and the proposed criteria,
the Integrated Area Plan Site adjacent to Kilkenny Railway Station should
be the priority location for major town centre retail development in the
County Development Plan.
The site should serve to enable expansion of the roles and functions
of the City Centre and provide the catalyst to regenerate John Street.
It would be appropriate for both convenience and comparison floorspace,
with the balance being towards the latter. To assure expansion of the
range and quality of the City Centre’s retail offer, the emphasis
should be on high and middle order high street retail floorspace. As locations
are scarce for the expansion of the City Centre and City Centre uses,
the development of a retail warehouse park on this site would not be appropriate.
Retail Warehouse Park: to meet the bulky goods needs of the City and
County and improve its competitiveness in this sector over the development
plan period, it is an objective of the Council and the Borough Council
therefore to secure the development of quality purpose built retail warehouse
parks in order to capture expenditure leakage and improve the retail offer
and attraction of Kilkenny City and County.
Over the Development Plan period, the maximum gross floor area for retail
warehousing will be 12,000m2 for Kilkenny City and County and 8,000m2
as the maximum floor area for retail warehousing in Kilkenny City and
Environs as defined by the Kilkenny City and Environs Development Plan
zoning objectives map. No one park to be in excess of 7,000 m2. No more
than one park will be permitted on any one individual block of land zoned
for Industrial/Business park in the Kilkenny City and Environs Development
Plan.
Core Retail Area: is defined as Parliament Street/Market Cross, High
Street, Rose Inn Street and St Kieran’s Street and is illustrated
in Map 3.4. It will be the policy of the Council and the Borough Council
to promote and reinforce the Core Retail Area as the primary shopping
area and to protect the retail function of the area.
3.4.19 Monitoring
and Review |
To ensure that the strategy and its policies remain valid and up to date,
the following is recommended:
i There is annual monitoring of expenditure and population forecasts;
ii The floorspace data should be kept up to date through planning consent
monitoring of both new retail floorspace and change of use. It could be
adopted as a Development Control/Planning Office procedure;
iii The retail strategy and its recommended zonings and objectives should
be reviewed after 3 years; and
iv The household and shopper survey data should be up dated every five
years.
The current quality and attraction of retail floorspace in Kilkenny City
Centre and the four scheduled towns is evidenced by the range of retailing,
high spend retention and overall satisfaction of both residents and visitors.
To maintain competitiveness, the County Development Plan’s policies
must be forward looking and responsive to issues and opportunities. The
following are identified for consideration:
• Traffic management
• Environmental improvement
• Heritage and interpretation.
3.4.21 Traffic
Management |
Traffic Management: is an issue facing all of the key centres in the
County and priority must be given to the preparation of traffic management
plans if these centres are to remain attractive and competitive. Whilst
implementation of the proposed Ring Road Extension/Inner Relief Road will
greatly relieve the congestion in Kilkenny City Centre, full completion
of the works is beyond the timescale of the development plan. Action is
needed in the short term in addressing issues, and in particular:
i. Car parking provision and signage with a focus on measures to deal
with peak season demand; and
ii. Congestion along John Street – unless this is tackled then the
regeneration of the street, even with development of the IAP Site, will
be curtailed.
3.4.22 Environmental
Improvements: |
At Bateman’s Quay, there is a real opportunity with the proposed
civic and cultural centre to create a waterfront environment and civic
space that is an attraction in itself – there are numerous examples
around the country and the UK that bear witness to this. The emphasis
at The Parade will be creating a high quality designed gateway to the
City Centre.
3.4.23
Heritage and Interpretation: |
The County and its towns have a wealth of history. This is an important
asset in the national and international visitor market that is drawn to
Kilkenny City in particular. In common with other centres around the country,
the story is there but it is not being told as well as it could or creatively.
To do this well would further distinguish the City and enhance its appeal.
A heritage and interpretation strategy is required which is linked to
the environmental improvement/enhancement proposals to ensure an integrated
approach is adopted.
3.4.24
Thresholds for assessment of retail developments |
All applications for significant retail development should be assessed
against a range of criteria. What is significant will vary between Kilkenny
City and its Environs and the four scheduled towns and thus different
thresholds require to be set. Noting the characteristics of each and the
general size of existing outlets, we recommend the following:
Kilkenny City and its Environs/Waterford City Environs:
developments of 1,000m2 (gross) convenience and 2,000m2 (gross) comparison
should be tested by the criteria
Scheduled towns / other settlements:
proposals for 500m2 (gross) convenience and comparison developments should
be considered against the criteria.
3.4.25 Criteria
for Assessment of Retail Developments |
The criteria to be considered in the assessment of significant applications
will include:
i The expenditure capacity within the relevant catchment area, taking
account of all extant planning permissions and recent developments.
ii The impact on the designated town centres, including cumulative impact;
iii There is demonstrative quantitative and qualitative need for development;
iv The relationship of the application to any development plan allocation;
v Its contribution to town centre improvement;
vi Its contribution to site and/or area regeneration;
vii The quality of access by all modes of transport and by foot and bicycle;
viii Its role in improving the competitiveness of the County, in particular
Kilkenny City Centre;
ix The extent to which it is relevant to consider the imposition of restrictions
on the range of goods permitted for sale; and
x That the development would support the long term strategy for the town
centre.
xi Can the development link effectively with the existing town centre
so that there is likely to be commercial synergy.
xii Any other relevant development plan policies.
3.4.26 The
Sequential Approach |
All significant development should also be subject to assessment through
the Sequential Test. The Sequential Approach to development has a number
of objectives which have been summarised previously. The following should
be added to that summary:
• In all cases, to select the site which offers the optimum accessibility
options by all transport modes, including walking and cycling
• Particularly if a town centre site is not being promoted, to demonstrate
that all town centre development options have been fully evaluated and
that flexibility has been adopted in regard to the retail format. If the
application, whether significant or not, accords with a Development Plan
allocation, it should expect to meet with approval.
3.4.27
Compliance with the Development Plan |
If the application, whether significant or not, accords with development
plan policies and proposals in all material respects it should expect
to meet with approval. The RPGs also state that, in such instances, it
should not be necessary for the applicant to provide additional supporting
background studies. The RPGs also importantly go on to advise:
“However, the onus is on an applicant to demonstrate convincingly
that his/her proposal does comply closely with the development plan. Where
there is doubt on any aspect of a planning application local authorities
should require a detailed justification related to the matter that is
questionable.”
Kilkenny has a wide range of educational facilities and historically
has been known as a centre for second level education with a wide range
of private and public provision.
It is the policy of the Council to facilitate the improvement and expansion
of educational facilities as appropriate through out the County ranging
from pre school to post graduate and continuing education measures.
3.5.1 Child
Care Facilities. |
National policy on childcare is to increase the number of places available
and to improve the quality of childcare services for the community. The
Government has issues draft guidelines on childcare facilities. The provisions
of these guidelines are incorporated into this Development Plan. In the
past child care facilities have been provided on an ad hoc basis by a
small number of private fee paying pre school playgroups or kindergartens.
The Government’s National Anti Poverty Strategy identified childcare
provision as one measure to address poverty and social exclusion. Childcare
can help to combat poverty in four main ways:
- Through combating educational disadvantage among children;
- Facilitating labour market participation among women;
- Supporting women in accessing training, education and employment within
the childcare sector;
- Alleviating family stress and social isolation.
Childcare is therefore a valuable mechanism in supporting and enabling
social and economic regeneration in disadvantaged and marginalised communities.
It is the policy of the Council to facilitate the provision of childcare
facilities in a sustainable manner in appropriate locations thereby promoting
labour market participation among parents and supporting parents in accessing
training, education and employment.
This policy will encourage local economic development, promote one element
of community care and address disadvantage and social exclusion.
Appropriate locations include the following:
Larger new housing estates, industrial estates and business parks, in
the vicinity of schools neighbourhood and district centres and adjacent
to public transport facilities.
The declining birth rate has resulted in a reduction in the numbers of
children at primary school age. The population projections for the County
undertaken for the County show a continuing future decline in the primary
school age group.
The declining birth rate will also impact on the numbers of pupils entering
second level education in due course. The school system is largely established
although there are some developments currently underway or planned. A
community College is planned for Ferrybank and one has just been built
at Ballyhale. If further expansion is needed it is likely that the expansion
of existing facilities can cater for any increased demand.
There is no university in the South East Region. The nearest universities
are located in Dublin and Cork and Limerick. Third level institutes of
technology are located in Carlow and Waterford. Various reports have detailed
serious early school leaver problems and low participation rates in higher
and third level education in the South East.
An outreach campus for NUI Maynooth has been developed in St. Kierans
College Kilkenny. It is a co-operative venture between NUI Maynooth and
the Kilkenny Campus steering Committee. This is funded in the main by
NUI Maynooth from its own resources and development is restricted by the
limited nature of funds available. With further development this outreach
facility would be capable of delivering customised responses to current
needs across the full range of NUI Maynooth’s full course offerings
at its main campus, including science, engineering and computer sciences.
The Government has recently committed itself to the appointment of a
director to further strengthen the education base and establish more effective
links with Higher and third level institutions.
It is important that the outreach campus in Kilkenny be developed to
its full potential, not only through the NUI Maynooth initiative but also
through the development of similar initiatives with other leading universities
and institutes of technology.
It is the policy of the Council
a) To co operate with the Department of Education and school management
boards in the provision of adequate primary and second level education
facilities throughout the County as the need arises.
b) To facilitate and promote the development of the third level outreach
facility in Kilkenny City to its maximum potential.
c) To support the establishment of a university for the South East Region.
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