Ruden Homes Ltd., Mounthawk, Tralee

Please refer to attached submission for further details.

This submission is made on behalf of Ruden Homes Ltd. and relates to the strategic growth of residential lands to support the future growth of Tralee by more than 30% up to 2040. It is imperative that the forthcoming development plan recognises that a sufficient supply of land that is deliverable and viable is provided to facilitate the long-term growth of this key town and that a strategic framework is set in place to ensure there is a balance between the demand for services and supply of houses.

Our clients holding was fully zoned for residential development when the current Tralee Town Development Plan was adopted in 2009. During the 12-year period of the extended Town Plan our client’s holding was progressively dezoned even though it was owned by an active development company and its suitability for development was confirmed by:

1. A masterplan for the entire holding which had been agreed with the Planning Authority;

2. An Environmental Impact Assessment which was approved by An Bord Pleanala and had considered the cumulative effect of the development of the entire holding; and

3. A grant of permission for the first phase of the development.

In our opinion the fact that the 2009 zoning of our client’s lands has not been restored in the Draft County Plan highlights the inadequate population target for Tralee in the Core Strategy and the failure to provide sufficient zoned land for even the current inadequate target.

Our client’s holding is an infill site within an established residential area with excellent connectivity to to the town centre, local services, public transport, vehicular and pedestrian infrastructure, schools and sporting grounds. The restoration of the previous zoning will promote compact growth and sustainable development in line with national guidance and will facilitate Tralee in performing as a Key Town. It is therefore submitted that the Draft KCDP undertakes a review of more appropriate zoning provisions for lands currently zoned for agricultural purposes, to reflect the pattern of development and surrounding built up area within an urban context.

Our client welcomes the retained zoning of the southern section of their holding for new residential use, however, having regard to infrastructure services and connectivity objectives that are required to support the development of this portion of the site, it would not be financially viable. It is therefore submitted that the Planning Authority recognise that the significant costs to service the site would only be viable if a certain target of new housing units are provided.

It is therefore requested that:

▪ The northern and eastern portions of the subject lands be re-zoned from ‘P1 Agriculture’ to ‘R1 New / Proposed Residential’.

On behalf of our client, we would like to thank you for your consideration of this submission and look forward to continuing to engage with Kerry County Council.