Councillors oppose rezoning of Castlecomer land away from housing

Castlecomer Municipal District councillors were unanimous in their opposition to a proposal that land in the Oak Hill residential area of the town be rezoned for agricultural use.

The proposed change was part of a variation to the Castlecomer Settlement Plan which would have seen an area of land, that previously had planning permission for residential units which had expired, be reverted to agriculture.

All members spoke out in favour of changing the zoning back to residential and highlighted the need to facilitate the construction of new housing in Castlecomer.

“Comer has fought long and hard to get back to where it is,” said Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick (FF).

“We need to build at least 100-150 houses in Castlecomer,” he added.

Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh (FG) was quick to voice her agreement saying she was “against dezoning at a time when we’re trying to build houses.”

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Cllr Michael Delaney of Fianna Fáil raised the issue of the impact the housing crisis has on community groups commenting that “schools are suffering, hurling clubs are suffering” while Cllr Michael McCarthy (FF) added “dezoning would be a mistake.”

The decision to refuse the variation to rezone the land to agriculture was later made at the Kilkenny County Council meeting on Monday with the changes to the Settlement Plan to be implemented in the coming months.

Another point of discussion was businesses seeking the rezoning of Castlecomer Business Park from industrial to general business, a site at which Lidl has expressed interest in opening a unit.

However, Executive Planner Catríona O’Sullivan stated that the council had no issues with the current industrial zoning and the town centre would be prioritised as “the key to unlocking Castlecomer.”

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