Major transformation planned for historic buildings in Kilkenny
Kilkenny councillors have backed plans for three vacant buildings in Kilkenny City to be refurbished by Kilkenny County Council
Kilkenny councillors have backed plans for three vacant buildings in Kilkenny City to be refurbished by Kilkenny County Council and used for social housing.
The buildings, located at 6-9 Upper Patrick Street, are poised to be refurbised and converted into four studio apartments and one two-bedroom house.
The proposal to develop the buildings was put before elected officials at the most recent meeting of Kilkenny County Council, following a period of public consultation, as part of the Part 8 planning process.
According to the planning report prepared in relation to the proposed development, the refurbishment of these buildings ‘will help to reinvigorate the Upper Patrick Street area which has a number of vacant properties and properties in poor condition’.
The report further notes that the project ‘has added value in terms of urban renewal and the regeneration will enhance the streetscape and play an important role in keeping a residential presence in this area’.
As part of the design process, a conservation architect was appointed to ensure the heritage of the buildings were maintained during the design, and a historic timber report and survey of the mortar within the building were also completed.
An Architectural Heritage Impact Assessment was also carried out as well as a desktop archaeological study prior to the start of the detailed design process.
A further study including test trenching was commissioned and carried out as part of the archaeological mitigation regarding this project.
Meanwhile, the planning authority concluded that there is no real likelihood of significant effects on the environment arising from the proposed development and a determination has been made that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is not required.
It was raised during the council meeting that two submissions were received during the public consultation process and that the points raised in those submissions were considered.
The project has been granted funding by the Department of Housing under the Social Housing Investment Programme.