Housing, Tourism Infrastructure & Town Boundaries

Dear Sir or Madam,

Regarding Cahersiveen Town, while I appreciate its status as a regional town, I would like to express that I view the surrounding rural locales such as Kells, Foilmore, Over the Water & Renard not merely as an outlying areas, but as integral parts of our community with their own value and significance.

Housing Concerns - The current plan to construct 101 houses in the region is inadequate for fulfilling the community's need for residential spaces. There's a compelling need to reassess zoning policies to accommodate a wider spectrum of housing that is both affordable and socially inclusive. This is vital for the future viability of Cahersiveen, which is currently grappling with a sharp decline in reasonably priced housing for both sale and rent. In fact, rental costs have soared by an alarming 40% over the past three years. The scarcity of long-term rental options has pushed long-term inhabitants to leave the area, which threatens the town's social fabric.

It's also important to highlight that a considerable fraction of the housing stock is diverted towards irregular short-term lettings, thus exacerbating the local housing crunch. Moreover, the population projections delineated in the draft LAP, although in line with the National Planning Framework and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy, failed to predict the surge in migration that West Iveragh has witnessed. The influx from Ukraine and other countries has swelled our numbers beyond the LAP's projections, just in the last eighteen months.

In light of this, it's imperative that we reassess and elevate our population targets by at least 30% to accurately reflect our new demographic landscape and the aspirations of migrants, returning diaspora and locals alike to settle, build, and purchase homes in this area. Furthermore, we must provide for the potential growth in Southwest Kerry, fostering sustainable development and enhancing the housing stock in the town.

Tourism Infrastructure – While we appreciate the government's recent funding towards economic and tourism initiatives, such as the RRDF project and the South Kerry Greenway, it's perplexing that another government decision in 2019 led to the removal of Southwest Kerry's largest tourist accommodation infrastructure. This move was made without any plans for subsequent replacement, creating a gap in tourist accommodations. This void predates the challenges brought about by COVID-19 and immigration and has adversely affected the financial viability of nearby businesses.

With this backdrop, it is crucial for the Local Area Plan to strategize effectively, ensuring the town leverages the economic upswing promised by initiatives such as the RRDF and The Greenway. This strategic approach includes the expansion of the town's limits and enhancement of zones for tourism-centric activities, accommodations, and potential future hotels, aligning the LAP with Kerry County Council policies and the town’s developmental prospects. Augmenting the designated accommodations for tourists is essential not only for fostering sustainable economic growth but also for addressing the critical need for more housing options, mitigating the conflict for space between tourism and residential needs.

Town Boundaries  - For Cahersiveen to tap into its tourism potential and to meet the expectations of a regional hub, as outlined in the Kerry County Development Plan, it's essential for the town to have the capacity for sustainable expansion. This development must adhere to the National Planning Framework's compact growth guidelines. The current town boundary definition seems to overlook the considerable and positive influx of immigrants in the last three years. A significant number of these new residents are integrating into private housing, with many others eager to establish permanent residences here, alongside locals who wish to settle with their families. However, the restricted town boundary and the corresponding shortage of housing are hindering their ability to do so. Furthermore, the proposed boundary does not reflect the draft LAP's vision for Cahersiveen's economic and service roles. Thus, we strongly suggest that the town boundary (as indicated in the zoning map) should be synonymous with Cahersiveen's actual urban area, stretching from Carhan Bridge to the Points Cross, reinstating the town's original boundary prior to the 2019 adjustments.

Ní neart go cur le chéile

Warmest Regards,

Stephanie Mahey

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