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Public invited to submit ideas for county's Local Area Plans

January 2nd, 2016 7:15 AM

By Southern Star Team

A further 332 housing units are proposed for Skibbereen

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Cork County Council is inviting the public to have their say in new local area plans for towns and villages within the county

By Kieran O’Mahony

CORK County Council is inviting the public to have their say in new local area plans for towns and villages within the county, by making a submission to the Council outlining their views on the future development of their local town or village.

‘The Local Areas Plans set out the blueprint for how the towns and villages of the county will develop over the coming years in terms of where new houses, schools, parks etc will be provided so this is an ideal time for people to get involved and share their views about what is needed in their area,’ said Tim Lucey, chief exeutive of Cork County Council.

The Council has prepared a preliminary consultation document for the eight municipal districts in the county, highlighting key issues to be considered.

‘The Council would like to get feedback from the public on the issues raised in this document and any other issues of interest. Subject to enabling legislation, it is also the Council’s intention that the new Local Ares Plans will replace the current Town Development Plans adopted by the former Town Councils of Clonakilty, Kinsale, Macroom and Skibbereen.’

The Preliminary Consultation Document for the Bandon-Kinsale Municipal District indicates that the overall aim is to achieve a population target of 46,004 over the lifetime of the plan, which will involve the provision of 3,498 new houses. The main focus of the growth is the main towns. Within Bandon there is a requirement to provide 892 new housing units, while in Kinsale 714 units are required. Other issues highlighted by the consultation document include the need to review some residential and employment zonings and the need for further investment in road and transportation infrastructure, most notably the southern relief in Bandon.

In relation to the West Cork Municipal District, the overall aim is to achieve a population target of 63,481 over the lifetime of the plan, which will involve the provision of 6,896 new houses. The main focus of the growth is the towns. Within Clonakilty there is a requirement to provide 1,500 new housing units, while in Bantry there is a requirement for 1,241 units, while a further 332 units are proposed for Skibbereen, 309 units in Castletownbere, 273 in Dunmanway and 87 units in Schull.

The deadline for submissions is 4pm on Monday January 25th. Further information is available at www.corkcoco.ie and submissions can be made online, via the website or in writing to the Senior Planner, Planning Policy Unit, Cork County Council, Floor 13, County Hall, Cork, T12R2NC

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