Kilcullen Local Area Plan 2008 (pdf) - Kildare.ie

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2.0 Review Context
2.1 Legal Context
This Local Area Plan relates to the town of Kilcullen. The
Kilcullen Local Area Plan 2001 was the last plan prepared
for the town. This Plan shall be titled ‘Kilcullen Local Area Plan’.
Kildare County Council is the Planning Authority for the area
of the Local Area Plan.
This Local Area Plan for Kilcullen is made in accordance
with the requirements of the Planning and Development Acts
2000 (as amended) (the Act) and in accordance with the
objectives of the Kildare County Development Plan, 2005 -
2011. The period of this Plan should be taken as six years
(2006-2011) from the date of its adoption by the Council
or until it is varied or a new Plan is made.
2.2 Historic Development of Kilcullen
Kilcullen derives its name from Cill Cuillinn, the Church of the
Holly and was an important crossing point of the river Liffey
from Medieval times. The town developed along the street
leading to the bridge. The town expanded in the latter half of
the 20th Century basically extending the street further north
and south.
The town’s street pattern reflects its historical development.
Kilcullen is essentially a single street. The by-pass acts as a
natural barrier to expansion to the west of the town and
Castlemartin Demesne constrains development to the
northwest. Recent residential development has occurred
to the south west and east of the town.
Kilcullen is located within the Eastern Transition Landscape
Character Area and is on the River Liffey water corridor
Landscape Character Area. These areas are characterised by
undulating topography. The lands are generally of medium
size and regular pattern. Hedgerows are usually well
maintained with scattered trees along the boundaries.
Pasture is the major land use in this area with patches of nonirrigated
agricultural lands. Pasturelands generally occupy the
Liffeys banks. Kilcullen is one of the larger towns in the
Eastern Transition Landscape Character Area while there are a
number of larger towns along the river Liffey water corridor
mainly further north.
2.3 Planning Policy Context
Planning at this local level must be informed by
prevailing planning policies and standards as established
in international and national reports, guidelines and other
documents. A consistent theme in all planning and related
documents is that of ‘sustainable development’ – defined as
‘development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs.’
Kildare County Council supports this national policy and
this concept is a major component of the Kilcullen Local
Area Plan. The Planning Authority has also had regard
to European Union policy Directives and national policy
guidelines during the preparation of this Local Area Plan.
2.3.1 National Spatial Strategy
The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) was published in
December 2002. The Strategy is a 20-year planning
framework designed to achieve a better balance of social,
economic, physical development and population growth
between centres.
The NSS sets out policies for Kilcullen in the context of its
location within the Dublin and Mid-East Region. The Strategy
for this region is to consolidate the metropolitan area of
Dublin and concentrate development into the ‘Primary
Development Centres’ in the hinterland. Areas identified as
‘Strategic Rural Assets’ within the Dublin and Mid-East Region
will separate these centres from each other. Kilcullen is
designated as a ‘Primary Development Centre’. The Strategy
stipulates that these centres need to aim at a population level
that supports self-sustaining growth, but which does not
undermine the promotion of critical mass in other regions.
Primary Development Centres must take account of wider
considerations for example their relationship with Dublin.
Kilcullen is also located on a ‘National Transport Corridor’ as
outlined in the strategy. This corridor runs along the M9. The
strategy makes provision for the unique role of Primary
Development Centres given the close proximity and scale of
Dublin and the need for balance between the city and the
surrounding counties.
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