Revealed: Big plans in the pipeline for Ballyragget

A plan for the future development of Ballyragget aims to make the town a more attractive place to live, work and do business.

The draft masterplan will begin public consultation this Friday and in advance of its publication the details were presented to area councillors.

Among 20 suggestions for development in the town are improvements to the public realm and providing more public leisure space; changes to parking, traffic calming and the pedestrian and cycle network; tackling vacant and derelict properties as well as supporting the improvement of how local facades and heritage are presented.

All of the 20 suggestions have been given a low, medium or high priority reflecting the ‘desirable but not critical’ to ‘of strategic importance to the town’ evaluation by consultants.

Following a presentation of the plan to the Castlecomer municipal district councillors it was proposed the draft plan go on public display by Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick and seconded by Cllr Michael McCarthy.

Cllr Fitzpatrick said there is a ‘tremendous group of people in Ballyragget Development Association who have been driving this forward’. He said they want to bring a vibrancy back to the town.

“This will be a living, breathing document that will bring changes to Ballyragget, which is such a fabulous town,” he said.
Cllr Fitzpatrick said the plan will give the local authority opportunities to apply for funding under schemes and grants and places like Ballyragget are in need of that injection of funding.

“Ballyragget is never going to move forward if it doesn’t have a plan,” said Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh, adding that this is a good plan but people have to realise that it is a work in progress for the coming years. In years gone past Ballyragget was a much bigger town, it even had a railway station, she said. The huge amount of traffic that goes through the town and never stops should be harnessed, she said.

Cllr Denis Hynes said the population of Ballyragget has grown by 30% in recent decades and this draft masterplan is “very promising.”

“The people of Ballyragget are very proud of their community,” said Cllr John Brennan, “the development association do tremendous work. I’m sure the public will engage with the consultation process. It’s great we have a very comprehensive plan.”

It was stressed to the councillors that this is a draft plan and nothing is set in stone at this stage. Many of the projects in the plan will go through their own planning process with consultation, when they are undertaken.

• Among the suggestions in the plan are:
  The creation of a loop walk and linear park, with dedicated pedestrian and cycle paths, to enhance the town’s relationship with the River Nore;
• Preparation of a public realm enhancement scheme to include new level pavements, widened pavements and street lighting upgrades;
• Develop a new town car park for the town centre and traffic calming to reduce the speed of traffic approaching the town;
• New signage or art at the western and southern approaches to the town to create a ‘sense of arrival’;
• Consider the development of Butler House as a remote working hub with other facilities such as a gym and café as well as refurbishment of the community hall;
• Feasibility study to explore the potential of a new hotel or hostel at the Heather Court hotel;
• Creation of heritage trails with interactive signage to tell the story of Ballyragget and events to celebrate the town’s cultural identity;
• EV charging installation and landscaping to improve biodiversity and overall appearance.

Following the period of public consultation the draft plan will go back to Castlecomer municipal area councillors for approval. It can be seen in Ballyragget Community Hall, at the Castlecomer area offices, at the planning office of Kilkenny County Council, or online at http://consult.kilkenny.ie/