Kilkenny County Council

Abbey Quarter Urban Park and Street

Application to An Bord Pleanála for approval under Section 175 and 177AE of
the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and the Planning and
Development Regulations 2001 (as amended)

Notice is hereby given that Kilkenny County Council proposes to seek the approval of An Bord Pleanála for proposed development works within the Abbey Quarter in Kilkenny City (former Smithwick’s Brewery site) in the townland of Gardens. The proposed development will cover an area of approximately 1.44ha within the Abbey Quarter and will include an Urban Park, an Urban Street, ancillary development and associated site clearance works.

The Urban Park is located on the northern part of the Abbey Quarter and is centred around the upstanding remains of St Francis Abbey. The Park will comprise of a variety of grassed areas, trees, paved surfaces, water feature and meeting points and will provide a new amenity area for Kilkenny City. The Park has been specifically designed to express known historical features in the area, including St. Francis Abbey, the City Walls incorporating Evan’s Turret and St Francis Well. In addition, the Park will provide space to accommodate outdoor events.

The Urban Street is aligned north-south through the Abbey Quarter, linking Bateman Quay in the south with St. Francis Bridge in the north. The Street will be a pedestrian
and cyclist dominated shared space, with limited vehicular access. The Street will provide multiple pedestrian linkages to the City, making the Park readily accessible.

An Environmental Impact Assessment Report and a Natura Impact Statement have been prepared as part of the application for approval in respect of the proposed development. An Bord Pleanála may give approval to the application for development with or without conditions, or may refuse the application for development. A copy of the particulars of the proposed development, including the Environmental Impact
Assessment Report and the Natura Impact Statement will be available to inspect at:

■ The consultation website of Kilkenny County Council at https://consult.kilkenny.ie/
■ The Planning Section of Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John St, Kilkenny between the hours of 9.00am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday
(excluding public holidays), from Tuesday 4th August 2020 to Tuesday 29th September 2020 (inclusive of both dates) by appointment. Contact (056) 7794010
or planning@kilkennycoco.ie to make an appointment.
■ The offices of An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1 between the hours of 9.15 am and 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays), from Tuesday 4th August 2020 to Tuesday 29th September 2020 (inclusive of both dates).

Copies of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and the Natura Impact Statement may be inspected free of charge or purchased on payment of a specified fee (which shall not exceed the reasonable cost of making a copy). Submissions or observations may be made to An Bord Pleanála on the proposed development in relation to:

(i) The implications of the proposed development on the proper planning and sustainable development in the area concerned,
(ii) The likely effects on the environment of the proposed development, and
(iii) The likely significant effects of the proposed development on a European Site if carried out.

Any submissions or observations may be made in writing to An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 V902 and received by An Bord Pleanála not later than 5.30pm on Tuesday 29th September 2020. A person may question the validity of a decision of the Bord by way of an application for judicial review, under Order 84 of the rules of the Superior Courts (S.I. No.15 of 1986) in accordance with section 50 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Information in respect of the judicial review process can be accessed on the Board’s website www.pleanala.ie or on the Citizens Information Service website www.citizensinformation.ie.

Signed : Martin Prendiville, Head of Finance.

Information Booklet