Kerry County Council has commenced a three-month public consultation process on a new strategic plan which will govern planning and development in the county over the next six years.

The Draft County Development Plan, which covers the period 2022 to 2028, is an extensive statutory plan which sets out how the proper and sustainable development of the county can be achieved over the next six years.

The draft document provides a broad framework for the way in which the local economy, society, environment, and the use of land in Kerry should evolve in an inclusive, sustainable, and progressive way. It covers issues such as climate change, towns and villages, water and wastewater, housing, energy, Gaeltacht areas, and tourism and recreation.

Members of the public are now being asked to engage with a consultation process over the next 11 weeks during which the plan can be viewed and submissions can be made. The six-volume document is now available to download from kerrycoco.ie and submissions and observations can be made through a user-friendly consultation portal on the Council’s website.

"This plan impacts every individual, family and community in our county and is the most important strategy which will be put in place for Kerry over the next six years," said the Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Jimmy Moloney.

"That’s why we want everyone to contribute to the debate about how our county should be developed in the coming years, what we should be doing with land, how do we address economic and community needs, how do we address climate change and how do we achieve objectives in areas like housing, the environment, energy use, planning, tourism and development."

HAVE YOUR SAY

Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell, said that the consultation period on the Draft County Development Plan offers citizens a democratic and meaningful say in their own futures and the future of the county.

"We have already been through a number of steps in the process including consultation on a broad Issues Paper and there has been extensive input from elected members of the Council. Now it is over to the people of Kerry to have their say," she said.

"The vision set out in the plan is to provide for the development of County Kerry as an attractive, competitive and sustainable place to live, visit and do business, and where the quality of employment and educational opportunities, natural and built environment, cultural experiences and the strength and viability of its rural and urban communities are to the highest standards."

The Draft County Development Plan 2022-2028 is now available online and in hard copy at all public libraries and the principal offices of Kerry County Council in Tralee, Listowel and Killarney. Submissions can be made only through the online portal or in writing and must be received by February 23, 2022. Over the coming weeks, the Council will share information on various aspects of the plan on social media and will encourage public engagement.