Castlecomer Draft Local Area Plan 2018 ‐ 2024 Forward Planning Department Kilkenny County Council Table of Contents Contents 1 Introduction and Strategic Context ................................................................................................ 5 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 5 1.2 What is a Local Area Plan (LAP)? ............................................................................................. 5 1.3 Legal Basis of a Local Area Plan ............................................................................................... 6 1.4 Strategic Environmental Assessment ...................................................................................... 6 1.5 Appropriate Assessment ......................................................................................................... 6 1.6 Structure of the Plan ............................................................................................................... 7 1.7 Plan preparation process ........................................................................................................ 7 1.8 Strategic Context ..................................................................................................................... 8 1.9 Strategic outlook for the town ................................................................................................ 9 2 Core Strategy & Zoning ................................................................................................................. 11 2.1 Context .................................................................................................................................. 11 2.2 Population trends.................................................................................................................. 11 2.3 Population projections .......................................................................................................... 11 2.4 Proposed Core Strategy ........................................................................................................ 12 2.4.1 Number of units required ............................................................................................. 12 2.4.2 Residential Zoning ......................................................................................................... 12 2.4.3 Population Structure ..................................................................................................... 12 2.5 Development Strategy and Active Land Management ......................................................... 13 2.6 Residential Capacity .............................................................................................................. 14 2.7 Zoning .................................................................................................................................... 15 2.8 Residential Development Objectives .................................................................................... 15 2.9 Residential Development Management Standards .............................................................. 15 3 Area identity ................................................................................................................................. 16 3.1 Historical Development ........................................................................................................ 16 3.2 Urban Structure .................................................................................................................... 19 4 Economic Development and Employment ................................................................................... 20 4.1 Economy and Employment ................................................................................................... 20 4.2 Retail ..................................................................................................................................... 20 Figure 4.1 High Street (The Square) .................................................................................................. 21 4.3 Tourism ................................................................................................................................. 21 4.4 Vacant Sites Levy ................................................................................................................... 22 4.5 Economic Development & Retail Objectives ........................................................................ 22 5 Community and Housing ............................................................................................................... 24 5.1 Community Facilities ............................................................................................................. 24 5.1.1 Health Facilities ............................................................................................................. 24 5.1.2 Positive Ageing .............................................................................................................. 25 5.1.3 School Facilities ............................................................................................................. 25 5.2 Future Provision of Housing .................................................................................................. 26 5.2.1 Housing on Lands Zoned for Agriculture ....................................................................... 27 5.2.2 Traveller Accommodation ............................................................................................. 27 5.3 Derelict and vacant sites ....................................................................................................... 27 5.4 Housing and Community Objectives: .................................................................................... 27 5.5 Housing and Community Development Management Standards: ....................................... 28 6 Heritage ......................................................................................................................................... 29 6.1 Built Heritage ........................................................................................................................ 29 6.1.1 Architectural Heritage ‐ Record of Protected Structures .............................................. 29 2 6.1.2 Castlecomer Architectural Conservation Area .............................................................. 29 6.1.3 Archaeological Heritage ................................................................................................ 33 6.2 Natural Heritage .................................................................................................................... 34 6.2.1 Landscape, Topography and Geomorphology .............................................................. 35 6.2.2 Protected Areas of International Importance: Natura 2000 ........................................ 36 6.2.3 Protected Areas of National Importance ...................................................................... 36 6.2.4 Nature Conservation outside of International and National Protected Areas ............. 36 6.3 Heritage Objectives ............................................................................................................... 37 6.4 Heritage Development Management Standards .................................................................. 39 7 Recreation, Tourism and the Arts ................................................................................................. 40 7.1 Green Infrastructure ............................................................................................................. 40 7.1.1 Strategic Walking and Cycling Routes ........................................................................... 40 7.1.2 Public parks and Playgrounds ....................................................................................... 40 7.1.3 Sports Facilities ............................................................................................................. 41 7.2 Tourism ................................................................................................................................. 41 7.2.1 Discovery Park ............................................................................................................... 42 7.3 Arts and Culture .................................................................................................................... 43 7.4 Recreations, Tourism and Arts Objectives ............................................................................ 43 7.5 Recreation, Tourism and Arts Development Management Standards ................................. 44 8 Infrastructure and Environment ................................................................................................... 45 8.1 Water Services ...................................................................................................................... 45 8.1.1 Water Supply ................................................................................................................. 45 8.1.2 Wastewater Services ..................................................................................................... 45 8.2 Flooding ................................................................................................................................. 46 8.3 Energy 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