Kilkenny City is one of the most attractive large communities in Ireland. It values heritage and has a strong culture of sport, craftsmanship, theatre, art and retail excellence. It has developed critically important amenities and these include an excellent road and rail network, highly regarded institutes of education and high quality, easily accessible health care facilities. The availability of these amenities encourages foreign investment into the city and county and provides highly skilled, well paid employment for the local community.
The ability of Kilkenny City to attract and retain high performing individuals in key positions who can develop and enhance essential facilities and/or catalyse substantial financial investment in the local community will in large part be determined by its ability to offer them suitable housing opportunities. Such individuals provide leadership, innovation, possess unique talents and have a proven track record of achievement in areas which are of substantial and enduring benefit to the city and county. Their services and expertise will be in demand elsewhere in the State and every effort should be made to afford them the opportunity to settle with their families in Kilkenny.
Kilkenny City has very limited s·tock of large detached family homes set in substantial grounds. In the past opportunities have orisen for such housing needs to be met by sourcing derelict houses on large sites around the city which can be refurbished or replaced under the current Development Plan rural housing policy. However these opportunities rarely arise.
Given the limited options to meet the housing needs of those referred to above, it is considered that the Development Plan could provide
opportunities to assist in attracting and retaining high performing individuals.
A further aspect of rural housing policy along the following lines could address the issue:
Within the area of development pressure around Kilkenny City a positive presumption will be given towards building single houses for occupation by applicants who can:
1. Demonstrate an essential requirement for ease of access to work and to live close to the named work place in the city;
2. Demonstrate that alternative housing options for the type and scale of housing sought have been examined and discounted (with reasons) elsewhere in and around the city;
3. Demonstrate that the unique work/ employment talents which the applicant possesses have benefited the social and economic fabric of the community and will accrue by retaining them into the future through the provision suitable housing.
4. Demonstrate that the unique workl employment talents which the applicant possesses are in demand elsewhere in the state and/ or overseas.
I trust this submission will be given due consideration.
Peter Thomson
First Name:
Peter
Last Name:
Thomson
on Mon, 12/08/2013 - 12:00am admin
