‘Really welcome’: Once busy Kilkenny town street receives regeneration boost

Two vacant shops on Bridge Street, Callan are set to be redeveloped into housing and commercial units as the Council attempts to rejuvenate the formerly thriving area which has become largely vacant in recent years.

The properties which once housed Lynch’s and Power’s shops will each have living quarters upstairs, a development that was by praised by councillors as a necessary step to address the need for one and two bedroom homes.

It is hoped that the commercial space at Power’s will be used to stage artist exhibitions to add a cultural aspect to the plan as well as housing.

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The building which housed Lynch’s is three stories tall with a proposed extension to the rear. The plan received two submissions from a neighbour who was against the extension as they were concerned about it overlooking their residence.

A former priest asked for housing to be added to the ground floor of both units, but this is not possible due to the flood risk posed.

Fianna Fáil’s Cllr Deirdre Cullen voiced support for the plan calling it ‘really welcome’ and enquired about the potential for further vacant shop floors being converted.

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