A Strategic Plan for the Implementation of The Urban and Village Renewal Measure in County Kilkenny
1. Introduction
Kilkenny County Council has been requested to prepare a Strategic Plan for the implementation of the Urban and Village Renewal Programme in the County over the next six years. The Urban and Village Renewal Measure which forms part of the National Development Plan 2000-2006 is supported by the European Union under the Regional Operational Programmes for the Border, Midlands and West and South East regions. The aim of the measure is to help in the upgrading of the physical fabric of towns and villages, making them more attractive places to live in. It is intended that the measure will also encourage social and economic growth and the development of tourism and related activities.
Paving at Village Centre, Cuffesgrange, 2004
2. History of Urban and Village Renewal in Kilkenny
There have been several very successful projects in Kilkenny under the previous Operational Programme for Urban and Rural Development. Consultation with community and local development groups was a key part of all of the schemes. While many projects were relatively small, local groups were actively involved and took ownership of the projects. These projects often led to further developments within the village or town, very often directed by local groups. An effective planning method called Rapid Participatory Planning was developed as a way of collecting local knowledge for use by professionals. The end product was representative of real community needs and resulted in the drawing up of detailed village plans whose aims and objectives communities were happy with. These plans have continued to form the basis of projects, which have developed over recent years. This planning method received a Special Merit Award in the European Urban and Regional Planning Awards 1997-1998 (see Appendix).
Traditional Lanterns, Goresbridge, 2004.
3. Vision Statement
Kilkenny County Council’s aim for the development of urban and village centres over the coming six years is to focus on upgrading the physical fabric of public spaces, particularly at town and village centres. It is intended that by improving the visual aesthetics of an area and by reducing dereliction, town and village centres will again become attractive focal points, thereby promoting and reinforcing community pride. Town and village centres will once again serve as meeting places for a range of activities. Areas with particular blackspots, or problems will be targeted as a priority. It is also hoped to target weaker communities who have not been involved in local development projects previously, and give them the opportunity and encouragement to become involved in the development of their own areas.
Community Consultation
Consultation with all sectors of the community will form a major part of the Urban and Village Renewal Programme. There has been continuous consultation with local development groups, Tidy Towns groups etc since the Urban and Village Sub Programme of OPLURD 1994 –1999. Strong links have been developed between the Council and community groups and other development agencies such as Barrow Nore Suir Rural Developments (LEADER), the recently formed Strategic Policy Committees and County Development Board. It is intended to further strengthen these links and to establish new links with less well established community groups.
Kilkenny County Council is currently preparing its new County Development Plan for the coming six years. The preparation of the plan, which is presently at draft stage, has involved input from all sectors of the community. In addition to this significant consultation has taken place in the preparation of Action Area Plans, Town Renewal Plans and Integrated Area Plans. It is intended that the Urban and Village Renewal Scheme will be integrated with policies and objectives agreed through the Development Plan and Local Area Plan process.
Paving and Planting, Dunnamaggin, 2004
4. Profile of County Kilkenny
The most recent population figures (1996 Census) for the County show Kilkenny with a total population of 75,336 persons. Of this number, 34,213 were classified as living in towns. Kilkenny City is the largest urban area in the County with 18,696 persons residing there. The remainder of the urban population is distributed among the four scheduled towns of Callan, Castlecomer, Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown, the environs of New Ross and Waterford City and the villages. With the exception of Kilkenny City, all towns within the County have less than 2,000 persons. This shows a weak urban structure within the County; a reflection of the presence of large towns close to the County boundary, such as Waterford, New Ross and Carrick-on-Suir. It also highlights the fact that a substantial portion of the population, live in rural areas of the County.
There is a growing trend in the County as in many others, of one-off housing in the countryside, located away from town and village centres. It is the policy of Kilkenny County Council to reverse this unsustainable trend -
‘It is the policy of the Council to facilitate the development of existing towns and villages and smaller settlements in the County by providing services and amenities in order to consolidate and strengthen the population base within those settlements and facilitate the maximum economic use of its physical and social infrastructure’. Kilkenny County Council Draft County Development Plan 2001
The Urban and Village Renewal Programme will support this policy objective by aiding the development of more attractive town and village centres, thereby attracting people to live and work in the area.
Tree and Shrub Planting, Dunnamaggin, 2004
5. Aims of Urban and Village Renewal Programme in Kilkenny
Development of town and village centres in accordance with current plans and policy objectives.
Thorough consultation with all sectors of the community to ensure local ownership of all projects.
Build on existing local character and local distinctiveness.
Regeneration of derelict and neglected areas.
Promotion of community pride.
The Holy Well, Johnswell, 2005
6. Location of Projects
Kilkenny County Council intends to spread the funding evenly throughout the County. There are five electoral areas in the County; therefore one project per year will be located in each electoral area. There will also be a project located in the city of Kilkenny every year. The village renewal funding will be complemented where possible by other Council funds e.g. roads, environment, housing, sanitary services.
The first year of the scheme i.e. 2001 will be an exception to the above in that Kilkenny County Council intend to carry out a higher number of projects. This is a result of commitments given in 2000 and 2001 to community groups. As there was no allocation of funding last year, a number of projects planned for 2000 have had to be carried forward to 2001, thereby increasing the number of projects for this year
The chart below outlines the location and year of each proposed project. Details have already been submitted of the projects proposed for 2001. Following further consultation with community groups, Council Members and relevant Strategic Policy Committees, details will be submitted of projects for all future years of the Operational Programme.
The Priory, Kells 2006
7. Criteria for Selection
The following are the criteria which have been used in the selection of centres to receive funding under the Urban and Village Renewal programme:
The contribution a project would make to the enhancement of the visual quality of a town or village, the local diversity and sense of place.
The contribution a project would make to improving the vitality and viability of urban and rural growth centres, i.e. growth in tourism, local economic growth
To target black spots and disadvantaged areas.
To integrate with the Tidy Towns Programme.
To develop links with weaker communities
The inclusion of settlements which did not benefit from the previous Urban and Village Renewal Scheme.
Links to existing plans, e.g. Local Area Plans,
The Square, Ballyragget 2004
8. Detailed Design of Projects
It is intended to achieve improvements in towns and villages through upgrading of hard landscaping, introducing soft landscaping, undergrounding wirescapes where feasible and improving the façades of buildings. There will also be emphasis on developing community gardens and small parks in or close to village and town centres. Materials to be used will reflect the local character of the area, with local stone being used in hard landscaping projects and native plant species used in soft landscaping. Local craftspeople will also be involved e.g. in designing street furniture unique to the area.
Local groups will be involved in all aspects of the project from design, through to construction. The Council will also be requesting a commitment to the maintenance of the project from local groups. Several workshops have already been held where local people have been involved in drawing up plans for community parks and improved streetscapes in their areas.
It is essential that new schemes are distinctive and local to the area of the project. A character assessment will be carried out in consultation with local people and the design will be built upon this to ensure local diversity from village to village. The good work that is currently being carried out by Tidy Towns Groups and other local development groups will be harnessed and guided in a structured way to ensure all groups are working towards the same goals and objectives.
Tree Planting, Paulstown, 2005
9. Special Projects
Kilkenny County Council wishes to make a special case for extra funding to the Department of the Environment under the Urban and Village Renewal Measure for two major projects in the County. Due to the large expenditure required, these projects would be outside of the scope of the Council’s budgets for the foreseeable future. The projects, one in the City and one in the County would have a significant impact, on both a local and regional level, providing a focal point and meeting place for a range of public activities.
Kilkenny City Special Project – The Parade
The project proposed for Kilkenny city is the development of the area at the city centre known as The Parade. This historic street which stretches from Kilkenny Castle to the junction of High Street is the most important urban space in the city, providing the setting for the internationally renowned Castle and linking it to the rest of the city. The Parade has a formal layout, which has increasingly become eroded due to the demand for car parking at the city centre.
A multi storey car park has recently been built close by, which now provides the opportunity to remove car parking from this important urban space. This will allow the area to be enjoyed as a public space and provide a venue for a range of outdoor activities. The proposals for this space are outlined in the attached document, together with an estimate of costs.
County Kilkenny Special Project – The Square, Castlecomer
The Square in Castlecomer dates back to the 17th Century when Sir Christopher Wandesforde reputedly modelled the town on the Italian town of Alsinore. The major feature of the town was the wide square or mall, lined with lime trees, enhancing the facades of the many fine Georgian buildings. As in many towns, the centre has now become dominated by car parking, taking from the formality and grandeur of the Square.
While it is not possible to remove all car parking from the Square, it is proposed to organise the parking in such a way that ties in with the scale and formality of the Square. By doing so, architectural details and landscape features will be enhanced, restoring the square to its historic prominence. The Square will also become safer for pedestrians, thus enhancing the possibilities for social interaction.
The report attached is the result of several workshops held in the town with all sectors of the community. The plan illustrates the historic nature of the Square the current problems and the proposed solution.
| Area | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
|---|
Thomas-town Electoral Area | Graiguen-amanagh | The Rower | Graiguen-amanagh | Goresbridge | Johnswell | Ballyhale |
Castle-comer Electoral Area | Freshford
Castlecomer
Lisdowney
Gathabawn
Ballyouskil
Coon
Tulla | Moneenroe | Galmoy | Ballyragget | Clogh | Castlecomer
Church Avenue/
Kilkenny Road |
Callan Electoral Area | Kilmanagh
Windgap
Booleyglass | Hugginstown | Tullaroan | Dunamaggin | Kilmaganny | Kells
Knocktopher |
Piltown Electoral Area | _________ | Slieve Rue | Templeorum | Glenmore | Mullinavat | Piltown |
Kilkenny Electoral Area | Newpark marsh | Gallowshill | Dunmore | Cuffesgrange | Bishop Birch Place | Nore
Linear Park |
Kilkenny Borough | Kilkenny City Streetscape Improvements | Kilkenny City Streetscape Improvements | Kilkenny City Streetscape Improvements | Kilkenny City Streetscape Improvements | Kilkenny City Streetscape Improvements | Kilkenny City Streetscape Improvements |
