Plans for a multi-storey car park in Killarney have been questioned by the State’s planning regulator, who has called on Kerry County Council to drop the proposal from its draft variation of the County Development Plan 2022-2028.

The Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) said the plan does not align with national or regional policy on air quality and sustainable transport. The proposal commits the council to “facilitate the provision of a multi-storey car park in Killarney at an appropriate location.”
Council officials had previously pointed to the New Street car park site as the preferred location. Estimates suggested a three-storey facility there could provide 516 spaces, a net gain of almost 300, at a cost of €12.7 million.
However, the OPR noted that the council itself has stated that current parking supply is already adequate. Figures show there are 1,373 spaces in public car parks in the town, in addition to on-street and private parking.
The regulator also highlighted a separate proposal for 139 spaces at Green Lawn, off Mission Road, which was recently put out for public consultation.
The debate comes after Killarney councillors voted last week, by a narrow margin, to approve plans for the Green Lawn car park near St Mary’s Cathedral.
That decision was opposed by local residents and raised concerns among gardaí, who warned of possible increased traffic congestion in the area.
The draft variation was prepared to set out a settlement plan for the Killarney Municipal District and to provide a detailed planning framework for the town.