The role and function of Kilkenny County Council's Planning Department is to determine the physical planning policy of the county, to control new development and building and the promotion of industrial, commercial and other appropriate development.
 

Forward planning

• County Development Plan / Local Area Plans
• The Local Area Plans for Fiddown and Piltown were completed and adopted in 2011

 

Strategic Environmental Assessments & Appropriate Assessments were completed as necessary in parallel for these plans.

• Variation 1 to the Kilkenny City & Environs Development Plan - Core Strategy - was prepared and adopted as required by the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 in July.
• Variation 2 to the Kilkenny County Development Plan - Core Strategy - was adopted as required by the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 in September.
• Amendment No. 1 to the Ferrybank/Belview Local Area Plan was commenced, to bring this LAP into alignment with the County Development Plan (as varied).
• Amendments to the Callan, Castlecomer, Graiguenamanagh and Thomastown Local Area Plans were commenced to bring the LAPs into alignment with the County Development Plan (as varied).

 

Development Control

• 649 planning applications were received in 2011, and total of €285,951 was received in planning fees.
• 210 Commencement Notices under the Building Regulations were received
• 114 new houses commenced construction in County Kilkenny
• 23 of these new houses were inspected under Building Control Regulations
• The Planning Clinic system continues to operate successfully in each of the Area Offices.
• A panel for approved Site Suitability Assessors was set up in 2008 and there is a total of 67 on this panel. This has improved the quality and reliability of the information submitted with a planning application.

 

In 2011 19,000 planning files were scanned and made available online for applications received between 2000 and 2011

 

 

Development Contributions

• Total of €1.6m was collected in 2011

 

Enforcement

• A total of 135 new complaints were received during 2011.
• Enforcement Proceedings are ongoing with approximately 13 cases forwarded for legal action.
• The Council successfully prosecuted 7 cases during 2011.
• Fines and costs in the sum of €32,071 were imposed by the Courts following legal action taken by the Council.

 

The Council carried out 390 rental standard inspections on private rented accommodation during 2011.

Quarries

On 15/11/2011 new legislation commenced requiring Kilkenny County Council to examine every quarry in Co. Kilkenny. 105 quarries have been identified and Kilkenny County Council has a period of 9 months to investigate these.
 

Unfinished Housing Estates

• A total of 76 housing developments in Co. Kilkenny were included in the National Survey of Unfinished Housing Developments issued by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in March 2011.
• During 2011 all these sites were visited by Planning Staff and Developers were contacted where safety works were required.
• Application was made to the Department for grant funding for a number of developments where safety works were required and no action had been taken by the Developer.
• Kilkenny County Council carried out safety works to three unfinished developments in the County with assistance of funds from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.

 

Derelict Sites

Notices under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 are issued where appropriate and Derelict sites will continue to be investigated. The acquisition of suitable derelict properties is pursued under the Compulsory Purchase Proceedings of the Derelict Sites 1990 where appropriate.

Conservation

The sum of €12,000 was paid under the Structures at Risk Grant Scheme for conservation works to protected structures in 2011.

Kilkenny County Council provides a planning consultancy/advisory system for any persons wishing to carry out works to buildings of architectural heritage significance and protected structures within County Kilkenny.

 

The Council successfully brought 150 enforcement cases to conclusion during 2011.

 

 

Information Technology in Planning

ePlan, Kilkenny County Council's internet based Planning and GIS system (which was made available online in 2004), offers a link to a GIS system which allows users to view the location of a planning application on a map register. This has continued to be successful throughout 2011 and has proved very popular with members of the public.

• Throughout the year the Planning Webpage is updated with current events and legislation. 'A Frequently Asked Questions' section was added to assist members of the public with current information and is updated on a regular basis.
• The consultative website http://lap.kilkennycoco.ie/ is being used as part of the public participation process for the Local Area Plan amendments for Callan, Castlecomer, Thomastown and Graiguenamanagh. This presents each of the amendments with a series of questions and a very user-friendly comment form is available on every page.