Consultation is key to new Castlecomer area plan

The process of drawing up a new local area plan for Castlecomer is underway and public consultation is the key, according to local councillors.

Traffic management and issues with the local water supply are expected to be two of the main issues addressed.
“The public consultation will be key,” said Cllr John Brennan. “The public will have a big input.”

Owing to changes in the planning act, this time the area plan will be passed by members of Kilkenny County Council as a variation of the county plan.
According to Caitriona O’Sullivan, of the council’s planning department, the title ‘local area plan’ will change to ‘settlement specific objectives for towns’.

The content of the plan will be the same with no diminution of the standards and objectives as before, she stressed.

The plan has gone through the pre-draft stage with an Issues Paper and Health Check survey now available. This will be live on consult.kilkenny.ie until August 23. It can also be consulted at the Planning Office in County Hall, and at the Castlecomer Area Office (during opening hours).

A Chief Executive’s report will follow, setting out the new draft plan.
A second round of public consultations will follow and if any amendments are made to the plan it will go back on public display.
The Issues Paper gives an overview of the process as well as how, and why, people should engage.