Development Objectives

2.7       Development Objectives

2.7.1     Introduction

This section of the Draft Plan sets out specific objectives for the development of Fiddown.  Some of the objectives can be carried out directly by the County Council, but for other objectives, for which the Council is not directly responsible, it will have a facilitative role.

Achievement of the objectives for which the Council is directly responsible, will, in many cases be dependent upon adequate finance being made available to the Council from the Department of the Environment and Local Government and other sources.   For many of the other objectives, a co-ordinated approach is needed by both the Council and local community.  The Council, through its Planning Department and Community and Enterprise Department, intend to facilitate and build the capacity in the community to follow these objectives through.

2.7.2     Land Use Zoning

The purpose of zoning is to indicate to property owners and the public the types of development which the Council considers most appropriate in each land use category.  The land use zoning objectives are detailed below and are shown on the Land Use zoning and specific objectives map.  It is the intention of the Planning Authority that the zoning of particular areas for a particular use shall not in itself exclude other uses in that area provided they are compatible with the dominant use.  Zoning is designed to reduce conflicting uses within areas, to protect resources and to ensure that land suitable for development is used to the best advantage of the community as a whole.

In the following paragraphs:

• Permissible uses mean uses which are acceptable in principle in the relevant zone.  However, it is still subject to the normal planning process.

• Open for consideration means a use which may be permitted where the Council is satisfied that the individual proposal or development will be compatible with the policies and objectives for the zone, and will not conflict with the permitted uses and also conforms with the proper planning and development of the area.

Existing and General Development

Objective:  To provide for a mix of uses and to support, strengthen and expand the service base, allowing for development appropriate to the scale and character of Fiddown, whilst protecting its natural and built heritage.

• § Any development proposal in this area will be assessed against this objective.

Residential

Objective: To protect, provide and improve residential amenities appropriate to the scale and character of Fiddown, and facilitate single or multiple housing units, or appropriately designed serviced sites.

• § Permissible Uses: Dwellings, open spaces, nursing home.
• § Open for Consideration: Bed and breakfast establishments and guesthouses.

Open Space, Amenity & Recreation

Objective:  To preserve, provide and improve recreational open space, and enhance and protect the ecological integrity of the area.

• § Permissible uses:  Open space, sports clubs.
• § Open for Consideration: Sports clubs, recreational buildings, stands, pavilions, agricultural uses, public service installations.

Integrated Tourism and Leisure

Objective:   To facilitate the development of an integrated tourism and leisure development, while securing – the ecological integrity of the River Suir cSAC.  Development proposals should enhance this focal entrance point to the village, and the character and setting of existing dwellings and protected structures in the area.

• § Permissible uses: Tourist accommodation and associated facilities, water-based recreational uses.
• § Open for Consideration:  Limited residential accommodation linked to the integrated tourism and leisure facilities.

Industrial

Objective: To provide for industrial and related uses to provide for the employment needs of the local community.

• § Permissible uses: Industrial premises and ancillary offices, open spaces.
• § Open for Consideration: Petrol filling stations, service stations, public service installations, play school/crèche.
• § Not permissible: Warehousing/ distribution facilities.

Transitional Areas

While the zoning objectives indicate the different uses permitted in each zone, it is important to avoid abrupt transitions in scale and use at the boundary of adjoining land uses zones.  In these areas, it is necessary to avoid developments, which would be detrimental to the amenities of the more environmentally sensitive zone.  For instance, in zones abutting residential areas particular attention must be paid to the uses, scale and density and appearance of development proposals and to landscaping and screening proposals in order to protect the amenities of these residential areas.

Non-conforming uses

Within the plan area there may be uses which do not conform to the zoning objectives for the area.  Extensions to and improvement of existing premises accommodating these uses may be permitted where the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or prejudice the proper planning and development of the area.

2.7.3 Implementation of Objectives

The realisation of objectives listed within the plan, will be of significant benefit to the village, ensuring its orderly development and improvement.  The achievement of the objectives will be dependent on the availability of finance and the inclusion of the objectives in the work programmes of the County Council and the responsible agencies.

There are a number of objectives in the plan which members of the community will have an interest in or may contribute to through the development management process, and which will be the responsibility of the local authority, developers, landowners and other agencies to implement.  However there are objectives which the local community, through local organisations, can play a huge role in contributing to the achievement of the objectives.  Kilkenny County Council’s policy will be to facilitate and aid local organisations in this capacity.  Listed in Table 2 are the objectives resulting from the discussion under each of the headings of in section 2 of the plan, together with the lead partners to achieve their implementation.

This is intended to be an integrated plan, and the progression of formulating objectives from issues identified in the public consultation is the first step in enabling an integrated approach to implementation.  Kilkenny County Council intends to fully co-operate with other development and community agencies, such as the County Development Board and Kilkenny Leader Partnership to secure the implementation of this plan.

Kilkenny Leader Partnership (KLP) operates the EU LEADER+ programme and the National Rural Development Programme (NRDP).  Under these programmes grant-aid is available to small enterprises, individuals with a business project and to community groups with either a business or a community beneficial project, if they meet the programmes’ rural development criteria.  Both programmes provide part-funding so applicants are expected to fund a percentage of any project themselves.

Table 3 – Objectives for the Plan Area

Ref.	Objective	Lead Partners
IN3	To provide water in sufficient quantity and quality to serve the needs of the existing and future population, and commercial development for all lands zoned for development in this plan, as resources and finances permit.	Water Services Section
IN6	To maintain and improve wastewater treatment services and to upgrade the treatment system to full secondary treatment as resources and finance permit.	Water Services Section
IN10	To ensure development proposals include the provision of ducting for fibre based data services and in particular broadband services, as appropriate.	Planning, Developers
T1	To carry out works to repair the crash barrier at the by-pass near the beehive.	Area Engineer
T3	To carry out an assessment and implement a traffic management system to secure the safe movement of pedestrians, cyclists and drivers through the village, having regard to the need criteria and financing.	Roads Section
T4	To work with the property of owners of the chapel to identify works to be carried out to prevent deterioration of the wall to the front of the chapel, in consultation with the relevant stakeholders.	Church of Ireland Conservation Officer, Planning, Area Engineer.
T5	To carry out a heavy goods vehicles swept path analysis at the junction of the bridge with the former N24 road, when resources allow.	Roads Section
T7	To investigate the feasibility of providing a safe pedestrian and cycleway linkage between Fiddown and Piltown, subject to financial and human resources.	Area Engineer
T8	To investigate the feasibility of delineating parking at the junction of Meade’s Tavern with improved junction markings.	Area Engineer
T9	To investigate the possibility of a bus shelter being erected in the village.	Planning & Bus Eireann
H1	To protect and, where possible, enhance the River Suir, cSAC and Fiddown Island pNHA, and its associated ecological corridors and habitats, as identified on Map 2. An appropriate environmental assessment is required in relation to any proposals that may impact upon the cSAC and pNHA, either through direct or indirect means; this extends to works outside of the defined boundaries of FD1; this should include a survey or protected species where appropriate.	NPWS, Planning, Community Groups, Heritage Officer.
H5	To protect and, where possible, enhance the habitat in the graveyard and its associated habitats extending to the railway and towards Fiddown House, as identified on Map 2.  An ecological assessment will be required in order to assess the impact of any development within or adjacent to this area.	Planning, Church of Ireland, Landowners.
H6	To require details for the sustainable integration and conservation of hedgerows of high value as identified on Map 2 in all development proposals to ensure that the ecological integrity and connectivity of the hedgerow is maintained during and after construction.	Planning, Developers
H9	To seek the conservation of the buildings included in the Record of Protected Structures & listed in the NIAH, and to consider NIAH structures rated regional or above for inclusion in the Record of Protected Structures.	Conservation Officer
AS1	To support and encourage the enhancement of the visual appearance of Fiddown, subject to the availability of human and financial resources.
AS2	To improve the appearance, amenity uses and ecological value of the existing amenity area at the Strand Road, and to provide quality open space to meet the needs of the existing and future population.	NPWS, KLP, Heritage Officer, Parks, Community Groups.
AS3	To protect the banks of the River Suir and to examine the possibility of developing a river walk along the bank, linking with the River Pil, in conjunction with the relevant statutory bodies and voluntary groups.	Trail Kilkenny, Planning, Parks, Community Groups, NPWS.
AS4	To support and encourage the enhancement of the visual appearance of Fiddown, subject to the availability of human and financial resources.	Community Groups Area Engineer.

Questions to consider for Development Objectives:

Do you agree with this approach, if so, why?

Do you disagree with this approach, if so, why?

What would you like to change?

Are there any other issues that you feel should be considered?

Please submit your answers to these questions or add your comments using the comment box below.

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Please also indicate below whether you are making a comment or whether you are making a formal submission to the plan.