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By Sean Moriarty

Kerry County Council has commenced work on the drafting of the new County Development Plan for Kerry to cover the six-year period from 2022 to 2028 - including potential plans for Killarney and its environs.

The plan will set out how the county is promoted and regulated over the six-year period and is now open for public consultation and observation.

One of the biggest ideas being mooted for the Killarney urban area is to seamlessly integrate the National Park with the town centre which could be achieved by increasing pedestrian zones and reducing the amount of through-traffic in the town and the transition from car predominance to pedestrian priority. There is also a proposition to create a dedicated cultural and art/craft quarter in the town.

“The vision for Killarney seeks to mirror the world class natural environment that is Killarney National Park with an exceptional urban experience that sets Killarney apart as a world class tourism destination and seeks to interweave the fabric of the Urban Core of Killarney seamlessly into the National Park through a series of measures that removes as far as possible transitory traffic from the urban core,” reads a Kerry County Council official document relating to the development plan that was seen by the Killarney Advertiser.
The plan hopes to develop Killarney into a world class tourist destination.

Urban renewal is another key factor in the plan and vacant town centre buildings (both residential and commercial) is another issue the plan is keen to address.
Deputy Michael Healy-Rae is calling on Kerry people across all walks of life throughout the county to engage with the public consultation phase of the new County Development Plan.

“The County Development Plan is vital to the future success of the county and can only be enhanced when individuals and community groups make themselves heard. It is safe to say this is a real chance for every part of Kerry to place their community into the big picture,” he said.
Healy-Rae has encouraged people to engage either with their local public representatives or with the Council directly online, via email or by post.

“If you have an idea or a plan to improve your community, if you want to make a positive contribution to the county or if you are just an individual who feels that something can be done better, make sure your voice is heard. We are all in this together,” added the Kerry TD.