2020 Vision for Athy - Entire Document - Kildare.ie

9.3 Objectives
Objective 1 Consolidate growth within the Athy Urban Area allowing for natural increases in
population.
As highlighted in Section 6 the aim of the Study is to accommodate the majority of the projected population for the
Study Area within the urban area of Athy while the population of the hinterland of the Study Area is projected to
increase naturally, determined by fertility and mortality rates. It has been assumed that, in line with national and
regional guidelines, in-migration will be channelled into the urban area rather than in the rural hinterland.
The focus of future development under the Preferred Scenario lies to the west of the railway line, in and around the
historic centre of Athy. Additional growth is accommodated within the existing built-up area as much as possible
and thus limits further urban sprawl and green-field development. This is mainly achieved by utilising key town
centre sites for high-density development, by applying higher residential densities in general and by locating as
many additional residential areas as possible within walking distance of the town centre, the train station and
schools.
Objective 2 Develop a compact urban form within Athy.
The Preferred Scenario utilises key town centre sites,
which are currently not used to their full potential as
important elements of a vibrant town centre. They
include the potential brown-field sites of Tegral and
Minch Norton, sites along the future Inner Relief Street,
the Triangle site and the Shaw’s Square area. These
sites provide the opportunity for a wide range of mixed
uses incorporating retailing, offices, community and
cultural uses and residential units), which is the key to
achieve a compact urban form. The proposed uses for
each site and other sites are detailed below under the
various objectives.
The development of the compact urban form is underpinned by the development of a recognised pedestrian and
cycle network that will offer real modal choice and proactive traffic demand management options.
Additional retailing and high-density employment such as offices are concentrated within the town centre and on
edge of centre sites, which precludes out-of-town retail developments and thus underpins the establishment of a
compact urban form. The centre is accessible from the residential areas by slow modes of transport such as
walking and cycling. Retail warehousing would be acceptable outside the town centre.
In line with the recommendations of national residential
density guidelines the preferred scenario advocates a
minimum of 50 units per hectare within walking distance
of the town centre (600 metres) and the railway station
(1,000 metres) and a minimum of 35 units per hectare
outside of these radii. This will curtail residential
development on green-field sites and reduce urban
sprawl.
The focus of future development lies west of the railway
line. This limits urban development to the east of the rail
line in an area, which is not easily accessible by slow modes to the town centre because of the railway line
severance. Further development in this area would encourage unsustainable movement patterns, which is contrary
the principles of this Study.
Athy IFPLUT Study 92 Final Report December 2004