Ábhair:
I wish to make the following observations in relation to land use zoning in Kenmare town.
- Our family land which was always located within the town boundary, walking distance from the town centre, has recently been excluded from the Kenmare town boundary in the 2016-2022 Kerry County Council Development Plan while lands further away from the town, along the N71 were rezoned to be within the town boundary to facilitate further residential development in the area.
- While the above developments were a welcome addition to the town, it is unjustifiable that lands situated ~1km from the town centre that have been within the town boundary for fifty years or more have been excluded as of 2016.
- The established use within the immediate area of these lands is residential and any 'one off' housing development is in keeping with the established land use in the area.
- Due to the fact that there is already an established settlement in the area, the lands in question have the ability to easily connect to existing development services (such as water, sewage, electricity, broadband, etc). In the Draft Kerry County Council Development Plan (2022-2028), this is referred to under Volume 2, Chapter 5: Tiered Approach to the Zoning of Land for Residential Development as a 'Tier 1: Serviced Zoned Land'. Therefore, it qualifies under the highest category to be zoned for residential purposes.
- There are number of schools in close proximity to the lands in question, a footpath, accompanied by public lighting, is already provided connecting these lands to the town centre of Kenmare and there are proposals for a cycle lane to be introduced. This further enhances the argument that this area is a residential rather than an agricultural area.
In conclusion, these undeveloped family lands are greenfield sites that should be re-incorporated in the Kenmare town boundary, as they were prior to the introduction of the 2016 - 2022 Kerry County Council Development Plan. It would be my recommendation that this be amended in the proposed 2022 - 2028 Kerry County Council Development Plan. Please find attached the area of interest in the Interactive Map below.
Thank you for facilitating public participation and consultation in formulating the new Kerry County Council Development Plan.
Kind regards,
Maureen Walsh (neé O'Connor).