2.4 Urban Regeneration

2.4 Urban Regeneration

(See also Volume 1; Chapter 4 – Town & Villages)

2.4.1 Town Centre and Public Realm

In order to deliver the vision for Killarney as a vibrant town for its residents and as a world class tourism destination, this plan places a strong focus on town centre development, placemaking, retail and urban regeneration opportunities. The Council has identified a number of sites and areas that require attention in order to stimulate urban renewal and regeneration. These include a number of opportunity sites, vacant units, vacant/derelict sites and brownfield sites, public realm spaces and sustainable transport solutions.

The Local Authority shall facilitate the redevelopment of backland, infill, vacant and derelict sites throughout the town. It will encourage the construction of well-designed high-density apartments or residential units, subject to achieving a high quality of living accommodation for incoming residents, adequate provision of amenity space and refuse storage. Amenity space/public realm will use a co-benefits approach to include for the protection, enhancement and creation of biodiversity including nature-based solutions for management of water run-off, actions from the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and where compatible with the town’s architectural heritage, installing swift nest boxes.

A number of streets/areas exist where both retail and residential regeneration could be appropriate. These residential regeneration areas contain vacant properties including commercial units that can be brought back into use as new homes through incentives, including reductions in development contributions applicable, as outlined in the development contributions Scheme 2017, in particular:

• A reduction of 75% shall apply to development contributions in areas/streets that are identified in a Local Area Plan for renewal and regeneration.
• Development consisting of the conversion or renovation of upper floors of buildings into business/commercial or residential uses in areas zoned as Town Centre shall be exempt from the provisions of the Kerry County Council Development Contributions Scheme 2017.

In addition to identifying regeneration sites and opportunity sites in the plan and providing a significant incentive through development contributions reductions; Kerry County Council has been very pro-active in developing and advancing a number of projects and plans for Killarney.

It is the aim of the plan to improve connectiveness throughout the town and orientate the town to the National Park. This plan seeks to improve connectivity through walkways and cycleways linking the town centre with surrounding areas with particular emphasis on the national Park, subject to environmental assessment.

A key priority in the development of the town core is to create an enhanced urban environment for both locals and visitors. An enhanced public realm for Killarney Town Centre will promote activities, business and vitality and strengthen the heritage, identity and character, through a well-designed series of streets and spaces that feel inviting, safe and a place people want to be. The development and promotion of sustainable mobility options will improve connectivity and permeability into and around the town. Public Realm improvements at a number of key locations in the town centre including upgrading and reimagining laneways and backland areas to leverage the visitor potential of the natural and built heritage and the uniqueness of the ‘town in the park’ proposition.

Killarney has been awarded the Purple flag which is an accreditation scheme which recognises excellence in the management of town and city centres at night and recognises Killarney as a town that has a safe and vibrant night-time economy.

2.4.1.1 Kenmare Place

The development of a public realm area at Kenmare Place which will create a central focal point and a space for both locals and visitors to stop, chat, socialise and therefore enhance the sense of place for pedestrian activity. It will strengthen and improve the linkage between Killarney House/National Park and the town centre. This new public realm will also open up the serial views and vistas to Muckross Road, Countess Road, East Avenue, Main Street and Mission Road.

2.4.1.2 Beech Road link to the National Park

The relocation of the heavy trafficked junction away from the pedestrian entrance on Mission Road and the creation of a pedestrian walk/cycle way from the Tourist Office directly to Killarney House & Gardens will strengthen the sense of connectivity and accessibility of the Town with the National Park.

2.4.1.3 Town Centre - New Street/ High Street/College Street

These streets have been identified as areas where residential regeneration is necessary. A residential regeneration area contains vacant properties that can be brought back into use as new homes. It is proposed that any vacant commercial units within these predominant residential areas be converted to residential use.

The realignment of these streets will reallocate road space to facilitate improved pedestrian movement around the towns.  This will improve accessibility, connectivity and permeability throughout the town centre.  This will impact on the visuals of the town centre by increasing visibility of shopfronts thereby improving the visual amenity of the streetscape and developing the town core as a living space.

2.4.1.4 Glebe Craft Quarter Regeneration

The development of this area around Bohereencael Glebe, Milk Market Lane and Old Market Lane is necessary and will be reimagined, with the concept of a craft/market area in line with its history, supported by the highest quality of public realm, which, through the use of materials and design will again reinforce the heritage and history of the area. This will further enhance and extend the “Authentic” Killarney Offer.

2.4.2 Town Centre Regeneration

In order to deliver the vision for Killarney as a vibrant Key Town, this plan places a strong focus on town centre development, retail and urban regeneration opportunities. Kerry County Council is committed to ensuring the town centre area remains commercially viable, active and buoyant. Key indicators for this include:

• diversity of retail functions,
• environmental amenity & quality of the public realm,
• availability of residential units
• accessibility and pedestrian permeability                  

2.4.2.1 Living Over the Shop

The Council will consider a reduction in open space and car parking standards for “living over the shop” accommodation proposals in areas designated as Regeneration Neighbourhoods, subject to protecting residential amenity, where considered appropriate by the Planning Authority.

2.4.3 Regeneration Area

The Regeneration Area Scheme contains a number of interventions taken from initiatives in Rebuilding Ireland to address vacant properties around Killarney. A number of streets have been identified where these interventions could be appropriate. These regeneration areas contain vacant properties that can be brought back into use as new homes in accordance with Kerry County Council’s Development Contribution Scheme 2017. The renovation and re-use of these properties will significantly improve Killarney’s streetscape along with improvements to adjoining shopfronts. A reduction in development contributions shall apply to these sites in accordance with Kerry Development Contribution Scheme 2017.

There are many opportunities and national schemes in place to address decay and dereliction and make town centres attractive and desirable places to visit and live including the Repair & Leasing Scheme and the Buy & Renew Scheme.

Map 2.2: Regeneration Area