Ábhair:
Summary Recommendations for inclusion in the County Development Plan 2022-2028
1. Generic recommendations
- Consistency with the vision and objectives in the National Planning Framework and RSES in the hierarchy of Tralee as a Key Town with a targeted increase in population.
- Pursue planning policies in line with compact growth, brownfield generation, and future-use development to maximise commercial and residential development in the town centre.
- Ensure the development of enabling infrastructure to meet the needs of Tralee’s planned population growth.
- Develop and regenerate Tralee Town Centre and urban hub through careful sustainable planning and high-quality public realm.
- Co-ordination with the rest of the Kerry region and Knowledge Triangle to ensure consistency in planning and development across county.
- Prioritisation of the delivery of sustainable public transport and active travel projects
- Provide timelines and potential funding models for the implementation of the objectives identified in the Development Plan
2. Specific Recommendations
- The National Policy Objective 3b of the NPF requires that at least half (50%) of all new homes should be constructed within existing built-up footprints for the major Urban Areas, and 30% in all other Urban areas. – Tralee as the capital town should have a target of 50% of all new housing built in the urban area if the town is to achieve real growth.
- Under the housing for all strategy utilise vacant, derelict and underutilised properties in towns and provide incentives to develop over the shop residential units in the town centre. Residential units should be suitable for a mix of occupancy including young professionals relocating to the town for work purposes to young families looking for affordable accommodation.
- Student residential development should be prioritised in planning for existing ‘above the shop’ vacant properties in a coordinated manner in the town centre
- Central community hubs for older people and independent living accommodation for people with disabilities should be included in the Development Plan.
- The SDZ’s (strategic development zones) / brownfield sites need a specific plan with timelines –KCC must identify a preferred range of uses and the support/incentive they will give for their redevelopment.
- The National Recommendation around having a 3rd level presence in the town centre needs to be included in the Development Plan – a clear plan is required that would see MTU with a physical presence in the town centre
- A Retail Plan must be done specifically for Tralee and not as part of a wider County Wide Retail Strategy, and it needs to be completed as a priority. Tralee’s retail sector is the town’s biggest employer, and plan must address the disconnect between Manor and Town Centre.
- Clash has been rezoned to a mixed use – We no longer have industry standard of Enterprise Zones in Tralee. Stricter Planning enforcement and specific zoning is required to ensure appropriate businesses are based there – a specific Masterplan for the redevelopment and expansion of both existing Industrial Parks (Monavalley and Clash) is required that would allow Tralee attract more industry/R&D to these two locations. In particular Clash has significant vacancy, under-development and lapses/poor judgement in planning.
- Facilitate and support the delivery of projects identified in the Developing Tourism in Tralee Action Plan to 2025
- Facilitate and support the delivery of projects that will be identified in the Cliff Coast VEDP which incorporates North Kerry Tralee
- Revival of the Lee Valley Masterplan and investment in the Tralee Canal
- Support the implementation of Tralee Destination Town Objectives
- Development of Community Hubs and Independent Living Housing for the older people and people with disabilities in Moyderwell and Balloonagh
- Development of a Logistics and Transport hub in Farranfore
- Development of a LAP for Fenit Village
- Sustainable development and land management to improve the town’s vacancy rates
- Develop the recommendations made under the ’10-Minute Town, Accessibility and Framework Report for Carlow, Ennis and Tralee (July 2020)
- Growth must be fuelled by a mix of social & affordable housing along with High-quality jobs in and around the town centre.
- The redevelopment of designated infill and brownfield sites in the town centre and the tackling of dereliction in the area is key to continued compact growth of the town, in accordance with the National Planning Framework and the RSES, creating more sustainable communities within the town.