COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN/AREA PLANS:
Highlights:
- Area Plans adopted for Ballyhale, Knocktopher, Ballyragget, Inistioge and Urlingford.
- Public consultations held for Slieverue, New Ross, Kells, Goresbridge, Freshford, Mullinavat, Stoneyford and Paulstown.
- Local Area Plan for Western Environs of Kilkenny City adopted.
- Industrial/commercial agencies are being requested to increase their own involvement in the preparation of Local Area Plans.
- County Strategy Actions and community actions now being incorporated in Local Area Plans.
- Variation No. 2 Kilkenny Inner Relief Road of the Kilkenny City and Environs Development Plan was adopted in 2004.
- A review of the Retail Strategy commenced in 2004.
- A review of the parameters of the Housing Strategy commenced in 2004.
URBAN & VILLAGE RENWAL:
Highlights:
Phase 4 of the six year programme was undertaken. Projects were completed at Graiguenamanagh, Tullaroan, Cuffesgrange, Ballyragget, Goresbridge, Glenmore and Dunamaggin.
TOWN RENEWAL:
Highlights:
- 25 projects have been approved to date under the Town Renewal Scheme.
- The final date for qualifying for the scheme was 31st December, 2004 with 31st July, 2006 being the date for completion of works.
DERELICT SITES:
Highlights:
- The Council’s five area offices are responsible for derelict sites with the support of a Senior Executive Engineer.
- 103 notices under the Derelict Sites Act were issued in 2004.
- Derelict sites will continue to be investigated and notices served as appropriate.
CONSERVATION:
Highlights:
- The sum of €103,070 was allocated by the Council under the Conservation Grant Scheme for protected structures.
- Forty six additions were made to the Record of Protected Structures.
- Architectural Inventories have been carried out for four villages and Urban Design Studies carried out for eight villages.
- Kilkenny County Council offers a planning consultancy/advisory system for sensitive buildings and protected structures.
DEVELOPMENT CHARGES:
Highlights:
- The new Development Contribution Scheme was applied to all permissions granted in 2004.
- €6.7 m was levied and owing in respect of charges under the new scheme.
- Draft Kilkenny City Western Environs Development Contribution Scheme was published in 2004.
DEVELOPMENT CONTROL:
Highlights:
- 2087 applications received in 2004 (2071 in 2003)
- The sum of €956,738 received in planning fees
- The Planning Clinic system continues to operate successfully in each of the area offices.
- Extended opening hours at the planning public counter introduced in 2004.
ENFORCEMENT:
Highlights:
- A total of 238 new complaints were received during 2004
- A total of 213 cases were brought to conclusion during 2004
- The Council successfully prosecuted 11 cases during 2004 with many more awaiting court hearings. Including fines and costs, a total of almost €14,500.00 was imposed by the Court
- Over €122,500.00 was received in planning retention fees alone as a direct result of Enforcement action taken. Development contributions would also be due on foot of most of these applications
- A number of cases investigated by the Office of the Ombudsman were closed, it being satisfied with the Council’s handling procedures
IT DEVELOPMENTS:
Highlights:
- EPlan, Kilkenny County Council’s new internet based Planning and GIS system was made available online in 2004.
- A new mapping register of Enforcement files was implemented at the end of 2004 which will greatly assist Planning Staff in identifying Enforcement cases that are current and have relevance to any proposed planning applications on a particular site.