The Draft Loughmacask Masterplan 2022

Kilkenny County Council has prepared a draft Masterplan for the proposed new neighbourhood of Loughmacask in Kilkenny City. The process in preparing the Masterplan was initiated in 2020 and had been stalled as a result of Covid and for the wider process of making the City & County Development Plan 2021-2027. A draft Masterplan has now been prepared and will go on public display, and Kilkenny County Council are encouraging local people to review the draft and have their say.

• The Loughmacask Masterplan follows the principles set out in the 2021-2027 City Development Plan adopted in October 2021 to develop a compact new urban quarter fully integrated with Kilkenny city.
• The masterplan provides for a new neighbourhood with provision for approximately 900 hew households with a new neighbourhood at its centre along the Tullaroan Rd (between the Tullaroan Rd and Lousybush Lane)
• The Loughmacask masterplan provides for the development of the 10 minute neighbourhood concept, i.e. that people can access the services they need (e.g. work, schools, recreation, local shopping, etc.) within 10 minutes by active travel methods of walking, cycling or public transport.
• The Loughmacask masterplan area extends from the Breagagh Valley in the south (Waterbarrack Area) to just North of the Dunningstown Road and from the Water Barrack roundabout (Butts Green) to a point about 130m west of Grassland See map below.

 

 Masterplan area outlined in red

• The masterplan provides for the proposed new CBS secondary school along with the proposed access arrangements including the use of Lousybush Lane as a pedestrian and cycling corridor connecting the existing and proposed schools with residential developments.
• The River Breagagh Valley and Loughmacask NHA itself are significant natural amenity areas.
• The protection and enhancement of these amenities is provided for within the Masterplan
• Grasslands fertiliser factory is located to the west of the masterplan area. It is a designated Seveso site and specific landuse planning guidance has informed potential uses in proximity to the factory.
• The open space network within Loughmacask will be informed by existing features such as Loughmacask, Dicksboro GAA grounds, the community playing field to the west of the Butts and the River Breagagh Valley.
• A primary north-south green spine will be established by connecting these spaces and secondary green links will lead between this green spine and each of the residential areas and secondary open spaces.
• The masterplan will create a walkable urban quarter with day to day facilities and amenities within a 10 minute walk or cycle or commute by public transport of homes – reducing private transport dependency.
• The masterplan sets out the high level objectives to be achieved for the plan area.
• It does not give planning consent for specific projects.
• Each specific objective will be subject further consultation with the local population at detailed design stage before final approval is given for any particular project.

 The Masterplan makes provision for open space, green networks and local facilities that cater for local need, foster community growth and support health and well being, whilst also responding to climate change through sustainable transport, energy efficient building technologies, and a strong green infrastructure network.

Extension of Submission Deadline

The Draft Masterplan, the Strategic Environmental Assessment Report, the Appropriate Assessment Report and the Flood Risk Assessment, may be inspected at the following locations:

The timeline for inspection of the Masterplan and accompanying Environmental Documents and the deadline for submissions has now been extended and the Draft Masterplan,
the Strategic Environmental Assessment Report, the Appropriate Assessment Report and the Flood Risk Assessment, may be inspected Friday 26^th August 2022 – Friday 28^th October 2022 (both dates inclusive) at the following locations:

• Planning Office, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny
• Kilkenny City Library, John’s Quay, Kilkenny
• St. Canice's Neighbourhood Hall, Kilkenny

 Submissions or observations may be made:

• online at http://consult.kilkenny.ie/ or
• by e-mail to ourplan@kilkennycoco.ie or

In writing to:

The A./Senior Planner, Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny

Additional Information Sessions 

A further public information session and a community meeting for the Masterplan will be held in St. Canice’s Neighbourhood Hall, 22-28 Butt's Green, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 X72P as follows:

• Drop-in - Monday 10^th of October, 5 pm - 7 pm
  The purpose of the Information session is to provide an opportunity for the public to view the Draft Plan and speak with a member of the planning team to clarify and issues in advance of making submissions.
  All are welcome, no appointment is necessary.
• Community Meeting - Monday 17^th of October, 2022, 7 pm - 9 pm
  A presentation will be given on the Plan at 7pm, which will be followed by a questions and answers session.

Following completion of the public consultation, a report will be prepared for consideration by the elected members of Kilkenny County Council before the masterplan is finally approved for adoption by the Council.

Forward Planning Team August 2022