Castleisland Chamber Alliance Chairman, Michael John Kearney is urging people in the locality to engage with the County Development Plan and submit any suggestions, ideas or reservations they may have about the plan.
The Kerry County Development Plan sets out the overall strategy of the proper planning and sustainable development of the county over a six-year period, within the context of the national, regional framework of strategies and guidelines.
Development Plan 2022-2028
Kerry County Council has commenced the process of preparing the new Development Plan 2022-2028. The plan will set out the strategic spatial vision and future direction for the county from now to 2028.
The plan will cover the entire county of Kerry and will incorporate existing town development plans of Tralee, Killarney and Listowel as appendices.
Core Aims of the Plan
The County Development Plan has nine main goals for the future development of the county, which are in line with the Kerry County Council Corporate Plan, National Planning Framework and Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy.
The policies and objectives in this plan will assist in achieving these goals.
These include: To promote the growth of a sustainable and strong economy; To attract inward investment and people into the county and stem outward migration from the county; Promote a high quality of life; To promote the creation of attractive vibrant settlements that provide a high quality of life for its citizens; Strengthening the fabric of rural areas and villages and supporting the communities who live there; To maintain and provide additional services for its citizens, investors and visitors; To protect and enhance the natural and built environment; To support climate change and adaptation; Actively strive to secure the financial resources and funding to achieve policies and objectives contained in the County Development Plan.
The Big Picture
Submissions and observations should relate to strategic issues only and members of the public are reminded to keep ‘the big picture’ in mind.
Area specific issues or the zoning of land for any purpose is not considered at this stage of the development plan process.
Town Centre Health Checks
The plan is divided and sub-sectioned and, for example, under Chapter 4 Towns and Villages you’ll read that the council has carried out number of ‘Town Centre Health Checks’ across the county.
These checks will continue and form the preparation of these reports and plans.
The results of each of these analyses will inform policy responses and initiatives in collaboration with communities and stakeholders to support the vibrancy and vitality of town centres.
New Plans for Old Bank
Castleisland town centre and all associated with it are holding a collective breath at present after the old Bank of Ireland has its innards and all its history torn out onto the street and into a series of skips over the past few weeks.
The afore mentioned Michael John Kearney is heading his chamber’s attempts to buy the building and buoy the town centre in one fell swoop.
A Fulcrum for Development
“We see the purchase of the bank as the fulcrum of all future development in the town centre,” said Mr. Kearney.
Plans to convert the extensive, three storey shell of the old National Bank / Bank of Ireland building into a museum and exhibition area would allow Castleisland and its hinterland to tell the stories of its multi coloured past.
“If we are to achieve this we will need every shoulder possible to the wheel. That will require genuine, upfront, political and community based support.
“We believe that if we can get it going it will develop into something that, with other plans for the regeneration of the town centre, will be just the lift the town center and surrounding areas need.
Submissions To:
Submissions /observations may be made via the following methods: https://cdp.kerrycoco.ie or planpolicy@kerrycoco.ie or by post to: Kerry CDP Review, Planning Policy Unit, Kerry County Council, County Buildings, Rathass, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
All submissions should be signed and clearly headed ‘Review of County Development Plan.’
The deadline for receipt of all submissions is 5pm on Wednesday week, February 23rd 2022.
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