LATEST: Kilkenny County Council progress plans for Butts makeover

Members of the Butts community had a final opportunity to have their say on future upgrades in the area today (Wednesday) as the Butts Regeneration Programme moves to the next stage.

The programme, which is a joint effort between the local authority and community, aims to implement measures of social benefit to the highly populated city area, held a final consultation in the community hall.

Funding to the amount of €850,000 was made available by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to prepare the detailed plan of actions for the project, with the planning stage now almost at a close.

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In a wide ranging project update presented to councillors at June’s sitting of the Kilkenny City Municipal District, a number of proposed improvement works were outlined, including the construction of new age and family-friendly housing, the development of green and food growing spaces along with the erection of a brand new playing pitch and dressing rooms.

Furthermore, it is hoped a footbridge connecting Kenny’s Well to the Waterbarracks will be established, while the community’s handball alleys will remain in place.

Ongoing traffic concerns in the Butts also featured in the presentation, with the prohibition of a right turn from the Tullaroan Road expected to be in place by September, with a review expected later this year.

The project was widely welcomed by councillors, with Cllr Joe Malone claiming if he was from the Butts he would be 'screaming for this'.

Mayor of Kilkenny, Cllr John Coonan stated the process has been a great example of 'inclusiveness' so far.

Meanwhile, Cllr David FitzGerald described the project as a 'wonderful example' of blending the old with the new.

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