DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE TOWN OF KILLARNEY 1995

This Plan was prepared by
Colm Mangan B.E.
Kerry County Council and adopted on the 8th May, 1995

Contents

INTRODUCTION

Foreword

The Plan consists essentially of four main parts and an Appendix Section.

Part 1 is a general INTRODUCTION to the Plan.

Part 2, STRATEGIC POLICIES sets out the Council's general policies and broader plans for the coming 20 year period.

Part 3, SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES covers the Planning Authority's immediate short-term objectives, including land zoning objectives over the 5 year (or shorter) period of the Plan.

Part 4, DEVELOPMENT CONTROL sets out the standards, guidelines and parameters within which the actual physical development may take place.

Part 5, APPENDICES.

To enable the reader to form a broader and more universal perspective on the planning and development of the greater Killarney area and the County, and also to establish a clearer view on the current trends and targets for tourism, the following references, produced by Kerry County Council, are recommended:

Kerry County Council Development Plan 1989

The Environs of Killarney - A Development Plan (this is an Amendment to the County Development Plan)

Tourism Development and Marketing Plan for Kerry (1993 - 1998)

General

The Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 makes the preparation of a Development Plan obligatory for all 87 Planning Authorities in the Country. Each Planning Authority is also obliged to review the Plan for its administrative area from time to time as occasions may require, and at least once in every five years. The Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1976 extends the Local Planning Authority's powers to enable the Authority to make a new Plan in lieu of varying an existing one. The Act also introduces a simplified procedure for making amendments ("Material alterations") in Draft Development Plans.

The adoption of a Development Plan, or of any amendment to a Development Plan is a reserved function of the elected members of the Local Authority.

This Plan replaces the 1988 Development Plan for the Town of Killarney and other previous such Plans. The Development Plan sets out the intentions of the Killarney Urban District Council as to the manner in which land and resources are to be utilised in the area in the next 20 years up to the year 2014, and sets out detailed objectives for the next 5 years up to 1999.

The Plan shall consist of this written statement and the accompanying maps entitled:

• Land Use Zoning Map 1Z
• land Use Zoning Map 2Z
• Objectives Map 1
• Objectives Map 2

The planning area

The area to which this Development Plan relates is the administrative area of the Council of the Urban District of Killarney.

In addition to the Urban District Area, references are also made to the environs of Killarney. This is to enable a broader view of the prevailing circumstances to be considered.

Period of the plan

The period of this Plan will be taken as being a five year time-span from the adoption of this review or from any subsequent review that may be carried out in the next five years.

Major developments since adoption of 1989 plan

Since the adoption of the last Development Plan in April 1989, a number of significant developments have taken place in Killarney.

The first phase of the inner relief road has been completed by Kerry County Council. The road contributes greatly to the flow of traffic within the town's streets and though situated in part outside the urban boundary, provides a logical and tangible boundary within which development on the north of the town should take place. In this context, the development of the Department of Justice administrative offices and the subsequent provision by both Killarney urban District Council and Kerry County Council of a road, infrastructure services and serviced sites (both public and private) in the Park/Deerpark area, has led to the recent substantial development in that location.

Within the town itself, the main energies of the Local Authority have been directed towards the improvement of traffic flow and the general improvement of the amenities of the town in order to create a more attractive urban environment. To this end, extensive extra parking facilities have been provided and a major programme of relaying in brick of public footpath and lane way surfaces has been undertaken.

The success of these efforts to improve the general ambience is reflected in the continuously improving results in the annual Tidy Towns Competition.

A Traffic Management Plan has also been recently drawn up with a view to easing the traffic situation which is seen as a big impediment to progress in the town at present.

Development in the private sector has flourished in Killarney in recent years. Inspired by the upsurge in tourism at the turn of the decade a large number of hotel and guesthouse bedrooms and a substantial amount of retail floor space have been provided in the town. The building of private housing has also kept pace with this commercial development.

Three new hotels - The Killarney Park, The Randles Court and The Killarney Towers (replacing the Imperial) have been constructed and a number of other hotels have completed substantial extensions. A total of approximately 160 new hotel bedrooms have been erected since 1989 in Killarney and these developments have been complemented by further similar expansion in the guesthouse/bed and breakfast sphere of the business. The development of hostels has also become a feature of the tourist accommodation available in the town.

Among the more notable of the retail developments to have taken place are the Dunne's Stores, Killarney Credit Union and Magnet Properties retail/commercial outlets in New Street.

Approximately 300 new dwelling houses have been constructed within the Killarney Urban area over the past five years. An extensive public housing programme has also commenced at Deerpark.

Plans for the provision of a new sewerage network and an extension to the treatment plant are at an advanced stage and plans for the provision of a public swimming pool at Deerpark have also been drawn up.

A new Roman Catholic Church to accommodate 600 people is at present under construction on the Park Road.

The population, in line with the general trend in rural towns and areas has, though forecasted to rise, declined - in this case by 7% - and no significant growth rate is expected in the foreseeable future. This minor decrease is offset however, by an increase in figures for the environs area of Killarney, and the possible expansion of the U.D.C.'s area/boundaries is currently under investigation.

Kerry County Council has adopted in December 1992 a document titled "The Environs of Killarney" as an amendment to the County Development Plan and it is anticipated that adherence to the provisions of this document will contribute greatly to the controlled and regulated development and also the preservation of the rural environs of Killarney.

The Office of Public Works has also produced in 1990 a Killarney National park Management Plan and this non-statutory publication sets out the main aims and objectives of that body for the Park, a large portion of which is situated within the urban boundary.

In 1989, Bord Failte published their "Developing for Growth" - a new framework for the development of Irish tourism. In that document, Killarney was targeted as a major centre for investment and development.

A major development programme for Kerry County Airport is at present underway. This development will bring Killarney within a few hours of most major cities of Europe.

Kerry County Council has in 1992 commissioned a document titled "Tourism Development and Marketing Plan for Kerry (1993 - 1998)" which it is hoped will act as a blueprint for the development and marketing of tourism in Kerry over the coming years.

Killarney appears to be at the start of a further era of growth and expansion.

Among the changes in legislation which have occurred since 1989 and which it is envisaged will have an influence on future planning and development are:

• The Environmental Impact Regulations 1989/1990
• The Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1990, which mainly relates to compensation
• The Local Government Act 1991 which relates to the use in a planning function of Section 4 of the City and County Management (Amendment) Act 1955
• The Building control Act 1990 and Regulations 1991 which relate to safety and good practice in design of buildings
• The Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1992 which relates to changes governing the mechanism of appeal to An Bord Pleanala and
• The (Planning and Development) Act 1993 relating to the 'de-exempting' of works to be carried out under the auspices of the Office of Public Works or a Local Authority.
• The Derelict Sites Act 1990 has already had a positive effect on the use and development of property, particularly in the back lanes/obsolete sites of towns.

STRATEGIC POLICIES

Town function and regional role

Killarney situated adjacent to the north-eastern shore of Lough Leane in an area renowned for its natural beauty and scenery is almost centrally located in County Kerry. It is situated on the National Primary Route N.22, 33 km from Tralee and

87 km from Cork. The town has traditionally functioned as a market/service centre and as a tourist centre. This is the second largest town in Kerry and is an important centre for industrial and commercial activity within the County, as well as being the primary tourist centre in the Country. While in the area, one is conscious at all times that Killarney with its magnificent mountain scenery a constant backdrop, is Ireland's premier tourism location.

Basic Aims

It is the aim of the Council to facilitate the further growth of Killarney as a tourist and commercial centre and to facilitate the continued expansion of manufacturing employment in the town, consistent with the proper planning and development of the area and the preservation of its amenities.

The following is a list of the basic objectives underlying the current Development Plan review:

1. to encourage and promote the further development of Killarney as a tourist centre by preserving the scenic amenities, facilitating the creation of a high quality urban environment more suited to the needs of large numbers of present day visitors and holiday makers, by providing improved recreational and leisure facilities, including the provision of easier access to the scenic amenities especially the lakes, and to investigate the possible provision of cycling paths at various locations;
2. to provide a comprehensive road and traffic management system which will accommodate the easy movement of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic;
3. to encourage and promote the balanced and controlled development of Killarney as a market, service and employment centre;
4. to ensure the adequate provision of housing and public services to cater for the existing and projected future demands of the town's population;
5. to preserve and enhance the physical environment of the town by preserving buildings and structures of artistic, architectural and historical interest and by prohibiting any developments which would be unsympathetic to the existing town architecture;
6. to seek and encourage the redevelopment of obsolete sites within the town and in particular the back lane areas and in-fill sites, and to promote a balanced mix between residential and commercial development in the town centre.

Population

The present population of 7,275 which represents a drop in the order of 7% from the 1986 Census figure of 7,837 within the urban district, when considered with the recent general downward trend in rural towns and areas, suggests that there will not be any significant growth in urban population over the coming years.

While the population of the urban district has been falling, the population of Killarney environs has been steadily increasing. This is reflected in the Census Environs (a measure of growth of the contiguous built up area outside the urban district) which has shown a 13% increase from 2,358 in 1986 to 2,675 in 1991.

The recent decrease in residential numbers at St. Finan's Hospital is significant in terms of the decline in the urban area.

Independently of the resident population, the town is unique in the fact that there is an all year round tourist presence in Killarney. It is estimated that 1,000,000 people per annum visit the area and a projected figure of 1,200,000 per annum is the target by the year 1998.

Accordingly, the overall planning strategy for Killarney is based on the objectives of providing for the needs of a population in the immediate catchment area of approximately 12,500 (at present growth rate) by the year 2014 and a tourist population of 1.2 million per annum by the year 1998.

RECENT POPULATION TRENDS

Urban district census environs

Employment

The average number of people registered at the Killarney Labour Exchange in 1993 was 1,140 and this figure gives an indication of the number of jobs required to cater for the existing and future needs of the community.

It is the policy of the Council to facilitate the creation of the necessary employment opportunities by ensuring in the co-operation with Kerry County Council that sufficient lands are zoned for industrial purposes in the area and to co-operate with the appropriate bodies to assist where possible in the establishment of new industrial enterprises and other job creating activities and also to facilitate the expansion of existing enterprises.

The Council is also committed to the promotion and further development of Killarney as a major tourist and service centre. Expansion in tourism is seen as a major source of employment creation in the town.

Tourism

Tourism is the main source of employment in Killarney. Recent survey findings suggest that 1.1 million people per annum generating income of £160 million, visit Kerry, and almost 50% of these bed-nights are spent in Killarney.

There are approximately 8,000 bed spaces in registered and approved services and self-catering accommodation in the area centred on Killarney.

Killarney was recently targeted by Bord Failte as a major Centre for development in its "Development for Growth" publication.

There has been very substantial investment by local interests in the town since the turn of the decade.

A major growth area in tourism now appears to have been created by the demand for more active holidays with the activities of golf, walking, swimming etc. being high on the agenda for many visitors. Killarney by its very location and natural amenities and recreational facilities available is well poised to further capitalise on this trend.

Killarney Tourism, Killarney Chamber of Commerce, Killarney Working Group and the Local Authorities are all actively involved in the development of tourism and work closely with Cork-Kerry Tourism to that end.

One of the main impediments to the further growth and development of the tourist industry in Killarney has been identified as the traffic congestion of the town at peak times of the season.

The Council shall continue to support the development of tourism in Killarney by:

1. maintaining and improving the existing amenities and public facilities in the town;
2. implementing policies and objectives to ensure the maintenance and improvement in the appearance of shop fronts, buildings, other structures and open areas;
3. continuing to seek improvement to the traffic management situation within the town;
4. seeking the redevelopment of obsolete areas thus making the town of Killarney a more attractive and interesting place to visit and stay;
5. encouraging and facilitating the development of tourism and the provision of additional tourist facilities by all interested bodies;
6. encouraging the location and development of a museum and interpretative centre in the town;
7. promoting the location of a County Genealogical Centre in Killarney;
8. encouraging the development of suitable indoor leisure/recreational facilities in the town and promoting the town as a venue for major conferences, and
9. work in continued co-operation with the Office of Public Works for the further development of the National park facilities.

Manufacturing Industry

The number involved in this form of employment has been quite steady over the past five years with an actual net increase of 76 jobs being provided in the sector over the period 1988 to 1993.

The two main manufacturing industries in the area are Pretty Polly (Killarney) Ltd. and Liebherr (Ireland) Ltd., both of which concerns are located marginally outside the U.D.C. boundary.

Other large employers in Killarney are:

• Transmould LTD. (manufacturing emergency lighting),
• Killarney Milk Suppliers Ltd. (part of Kerry Group),
• Ireprod Ltd. (manufacturers of childcare products) and
• Karl Schaeff (Ireland) Ltd. (manufacturers of excavator parts)

Manufacturing employment in Killarney

(as compiled by Kerry County Development Team)

Year	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993
No. of jobs	1127	1109	1059	1191	1173	1177	1185

The Planning Authority will assist in the active promotion of Killarney as an area for the location of suitable industries. It is also the policy of the Council to facilitate and encourage the establishment of small-scale light industries such as craft industries, on suitable sites in the town centre area. Only small scale industries which are compatible with surrounding uses will be permitted in these areas.

A high standard of design in layout, building and landscaping will be required to ensure the new industries do not intrude unreasonable on the amenity of the surrounding areas.

Housing

The aim of the Planning Authority is to zone adequate areas for both private and public residential development and to aid the regeneration of inner areas of the town by a combination of renewal and improvement. In the order of 300 new houses have been constructed in the town in the last five years and while it is not possible to estimate the future rate of development, nonetheless, it is anticipated that approximately 1,200 dwellings will be required over the period 1994 to 2014 to cater for new homeowners and replacement of unfit, overcrowded or obsolete dwellings.

In all, approximately 350 hectares are zoned for residential development in the Plan, comprising 225 hectares of existing residential areas and the remainder of undeveloped lands.

The selection of future residential areas reflects the need to expand the town as an integrated unit. It is intended that in-depth residential development should take place on the most economically serviced land in order to maximise the benefit from the investment of public funds. Expanding the town in an orderly and compact manner will allow ease of access to employment, and to commercial, educational, social and infrastructural services, and will also conserve public spending. It is anticipated that most residential development in the next 20 years will take place in the south and south-east of the town.

It is anticipated that much of the private residential development over the next five years will take place within existing partially completed estates and in consolidating existing development. Further development of back land and new development areas will take place possibly in the latter part of the Plan period.

The Planning Authority will facilitate private housing development by ensuring the adequate provision of services. It will also endeavour to obtain high standards of design in the layout of new residential areas and of the buildings themselves, ensuring a high environmental quality for residents. Suitably located and designed public open spaces must form an integral part of all residential layouts.

The Council in conjunction with Kerry County Council also intends to continue its policy of allocating publicly owned land, for the provision of serviced private sites, for sale at an economic and realistic cost.

The Urban District Council in conjunction with Kerry County Council has recently embarked on the provision of a number of schemes in Deerpark, on a site which is adjoining the urban boundary and serviced by Urban District Council infrastructure. A total of 27 houses were built by the Local Authorities in 1991 and 1992 and 49 more have commenced in mid and late 1993.

It is hoped that in the Deerpark area, the pleasant social mix which includes both public and private housing, a sports complex/swimming pool, public buildings, Gaelscoil and playing pitches, coupled with the attractive design of the Local Authority housing schemes will contribute to the successful development of the area.

It is the policy of the Planning Authority to preserve the residential character and content of St. Mary's Terrace and Castlerosse Cottages, the Green lane Area, and Fair Hill, and to prohibit any development that would be detrimental to the amenities of these areas.

In general, the Planning Authority shall not be in favour, except in exceptional circumstances, of

1. the sub-division of existing dwelling houses, located in areas zoned for Residential Use, into two or more separate living units, or
2. the sub-division of individual residential sites, in areas zoned for Residential Use, into two sites for the provision of an extra dwelling house on the property.

Such development would lead to congestion of layout, over-development of the site and would tend to detract from the residential amenities of properties in the vicinity.

New residential developments shall be required to comply with the standards specified in Chapter 4 of this Development Plan.

Educational and Community Facilities

Killarney has four primary and three secondary schools. A new Irish medium primary school Gael Scoil Faithleann opened in Deerpark in 1989. Three of the primary schools, Holy Cross (Mercy Nuns), the Ballycasheen National School and the Gaelscoil at Deerpark are co-educational, while the fourth, Presentation Brothers' Monastery at new Road, is a boys' school.

Of the three secondary schools, the Presentation Nuns' School in New Street is for girls, St. Brendan's Seminary in New Road is for boys, and the Community college in New Road is a co-educational school.

The numbers attending primary schools have dropped in recent years, while those attending secondary level have increased.

Plans for the development of a public swimming pool/sports complex on a site at Deerpark are at an advanced stage.

It is the policy of the Planning Authority to facilitate the development of educational and community facilities, and while it is not envisaged that further expansion of the existing school facilities will be necessary in the near future, nonetheless, the provision of any future educational or community facilities will be catered for within areas zoned for Residential Use or Town Centre Activities purposes.

Public Utility Services

The Council will continue to maintain and improve the existing services and to provide new services when required as financial circumstances allow.

Extensive plans for the extension of the sewage treatment plant from its present population equivalent capacity of 30,000 to a new limit of 42,000 and for the upgrading of the foul sewerage network and provision of a new separate stormwater drainage system for the town, have been prepared, submitted to the Department of Environment, and approved. It is envisaged that these works, with an estimated total value in the region of £6.5 million, will be carried out during the period of this Plan.

The town's water supply which is at present provided exclusively by a connection to the Kerry Central Regional Water Supply Scheme (Lough Guitane) can cater for a population far in excess of the current and projected demands. However, proposals are currently under consideration for the upgrading of the Urban District Council's own Torc Waterworks (current supply capacity 450,000 gallons) with the objective of having a supplementary standby source for the town's regular supply.

The current water supply usage in Killarney Urban District Council's area is 1,000,000 gallons per day.

The Urban District Council also intends to upgrade the existing public services in the Woodlawn area.

The Urban District Council is currently investigating the introduction of a more automated "wheely-bin" system of refuse collection, with a view to operating a more well controlled litter system for Killarney.

Roads and Traffic

Traffic congestion, particularly at peak periods, has been identified as one of the single greatest impediment to growth and development in Killarney. For this reason, one of the Urban District Council's main priorities is the improvement of this situation.

The Council in co-operation with Kerry County Council has produced plans for the development of a series of link roads which when put in place will greatly improve traffic flow within the town.

The first phase of the northern Inner Relief Road was completed in 1989.

The Urban District Council has also greatly improved the car parking situation in the town centre by extending the New Street car park, taking in charge the Cathedral car park from Kerry County Council, and by developing the Glebe car park. The parking capacity has been increased in recent years by approximately 500 spaces, and the aim is to review and monitor the situation on an ongoing basis. The Council will continue to seek the provision of further public and private car parking and bus parking (and set-down) facilities, and will consider the provision in conjunction with private enterprise of multi-storey parking facilities in the town if the circumstances for such development are suitable.

It is the policy of the Urban District Council that all new commercial developments provide off-street parking facilities or alternatively, where practical, that a levy be paid, by the developer, as a contribution towards the provision by the Council of parking facilities. Furthermore, adequate loading areas, where necessary, and storage areas, are also required to service all new commercial development.

The Urban District Council has, also in conjunction with the County Council, drawn up in 1993 a Traffic Management Plan which is designed to improve conditions for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the town. The easing of the traffic congestion will create a more comfortable ambience for both visitors and locals, and will also help to create an atmosphere more conductive to the carrying on of business and commercial activities. It is hoped to implement this Plan in the short-term.

In pursuance of the basic aim of providing a safe and comprehensive road system, the urban road network shall be improved and a new roads system, including the provision of roundabouts if considered suitable, shall be established to serve the proposed land use pattern. The Council will strictly control the number of junctions along distributor roads within the urban area and will protect these roads from further frontage development that would restrict the development of back lands. Access roads serving residential development shall generally not be through-routes. Pedestrian ways, separate from vehicular routes, linking residential areas, shall be provided where practicable.

It is the policy of the Council or Road Authority, as appropriate, to protect the line of the existing and proposed Inner Relief Roads and link roads from future developments. The Urban Council with the co-operation of Kerry County Council shall prohibit frontage development onto the Relief Roads and shall strictly limit the number of access points onto the Relief Roads.

The Council or Road Authority, as appropriate, shall continue its programme of up-grading and improving the road network in the Urban District Area and where appropriate, shall make provision for future road widening.

Amenity and open space

Killarney, because of its location in the midst of such splendid scenery and being contiguous to the National Park is extremely well served with high quality open space.

The Urban District Council welcomes the recently produced Killarney National Park Management Plan by the Office of Public Works. It is hoped that the continued co-operation between the two bodies will lead to further use of the Park's facilities, and in particular, those close to the town centre by locals and visitors alike, for inspirational, educational, cultural and recreational purposes.

In order to preserve the visual and recreational amenities of the area, large areas of land within the urban boundaries are zoned to preserve amenity and open space and also as amenity area of special control.

In addition to the Council's policy to protect the lands adjoining the lakeshore and of facilitating their future recreational development without damaging their amenities, the Council shall preserve and protect the lands adjoining the River Flesk and woodland areas, with the co-operation of Kerry County Council. The Council will seek the development of a riverside walk on the banks of the River Flesk.

The Council shall also pursue the objective of providing more public access points to the lakeshore.

It is the Council's policy that sufficient open space and recreational facilities by provided to ensure the location of adequate amenity and recreational areas within a convenient distance of all places of residence. The Council shall protect existing recreational grounds and playing fields and preserve existing amenity and recreational open spaces within established residential areas. The development of new areas for active and passive recreation shall, where possible, be facilitated by the Council.

Town Centre

The town centre is the focal point for shopping, commercial and social activities within Killarney. It will be the policy of the Planning Authority to seek to create a high quality urban environment better suited to the needs of large numbers of present day visitors and holiday makers, and more conducive to the carrying on of business and commercial activities.

The appearance of the town centre has improved greatly in recent years. This is as a result of the combined efforts of both private and public enterprise.

The Urban District Council has undertaken a number of initiatives to improve the appearance of the town centre.

Improvement of street pavements have taken place in New Street, Port Road, Plunkett Street and Lewis Road. Footpaths have been refurbished in a cobblelock brick surface at Main Street, High Street, New Street, College Street, Fair Hill and The Ha-Ha. the surface of the lanes at Fleming's Lane, Bower's Lane, Milkmarket Lane, Bishop's Lane, Green Lane, Church Lane, Brewery Lane, Clover's Lane and St. Anthony's Place have all been re-laid in cobble-lock brick paving.

The Planning Authority has also commenced a programme of placing the existing E.S.B. wire network underground. A public lighting improvement scheme has also been initiated, and it is intended to introduce further decorative lighting to the town centre streets, in the coming short-term.

A Traffic Management Plan has been drawn up by the Urban District Council in conjunction with Kerry County Council. The Plan places a strong emphasis on pedestrianisation and part of it has already been implemented on a trial basis for a short period. The Urban District Council has also provided extensive extra car parking facilities within the town centre in recent years.

It is policy of the Planning Authority to preserve and improve the amenity of the central area and to secure its continued economic viability by:

• preserving, maintaining and improving the physical character of the area and the environmental quality of the streetscape;
• encouraging the preservation of traditional shopfronts and encouraging new shopfronts and advertising signs to reflect traditional styles and to be in harmony with the scale and character of the existing shopfronts;
• restricting the number and type of advertising signs in accordance with the Council's policy on advertising signs;
• seeking the redevelopment of all obsolete sites and the back land areas;
• by preserving those buildings and structures in List 1 and 2 and
• continuing to seek an improvement to the traffic flow within the town centre.

It is the policy of the Council to ensure that Casual Trading, within the meaning of the Casual Trading Act, 1980, takes place only in a designated casual trading area.

Killarney Urban District Council is at present more than adequately served by outlets where all the food prepared is consumed in its entirety outside of the premises. These take-away/fast food outlets may sometimes be associated with noise, litter and general late night disturbance. It will be the policy of this Authority that the further proliferation of such outlets will be discouraged, and applications for new outlets will not be permitted. In certain circumstances however, a take-away facility may be considered where it is an ancillary component in a restaurant development. To comply with these requirements, such a facility may be permitted where it is part of an overall development where seating provision in the public area (excluding food preparation area, storage areas, toilets etc.) exceeds 80% and where to permit such a development would not adversely affect existing residential amenities or be inconsistent with policies for the development of Killarney set out in the Plan.

Back lane areas and obsolete areas

Within the town centre there is a dense network of laneways to the rear of the main streets. A comprehensive survey of these areas has been carried out by the Local Authority. These laneways have a high proportion of buildings and sites in obsolete and derelict condition. The Council will seek either by direct action or through the co-operation of developers, to secure the development and renewal of these areas. The Council shall seek to attain these objectives by implementing the following policies:

1. To continue the ongoing programme of re-surfacing of the lanes.
2. The continued preparation, where possible, of viability studies and development briefs for the back lane areas which will be used to encourage the development of these areas by private interests.
3. The acquisition where possible by the Council of obsolete and vacant sites within these areas for redevelopment and in particular for housing development.
4. The Council shall seek to encourage and accommodate the location of suitable developments within the back lane areas by applying the Development Control Standards in a flexible manner, in particular in relation to car parking provision, development charges, and where possible, site coverage standards.
5. The Council shall seek to maintain a high proportion of residential use within the back lane areas, particularly in those areas east of High Street.
6. The Council shall seek the removal of all dangerous and neglected structures, the removal of waste and the control of dumping. The Planning Authority will act to attain these objectives by invoking all existing legislation in this regard (Derelict Site Act 1990, Litter Act 1982).

Advertising Signs

As a major tourist centre the need for advertising signs and directional signs in the town is recognised by the Council. To ensure that the visual amenities of the town and the safety of pedestrian and vehicular traffic are preserved it is necessary however, that the number and type of advertisement signs and structures be controlled.

The Council shall seek the removal of advertisements and advertisement structures or material which are unsympathetic and detrimental to the visual amenities of the surrounding area.

All advertisements and advertisement structures other than those exempted under Part II, Third Schedule of the 1977 Regulations shall be the subject of a formal planning application. "Sandwich Board" type signs, vending machines, display shelves etc. require a licence under Section 89 of the 1963 Act. No free-standing advertisement boards, display shelves etc. shall be permitted on public property except in special circumstances and then only under licence.

Within the town centre only fingerpost directional signs shall be permitted. At the entrance to laneways off the town centre streets, only advertisement signs similar in size to fingerpost signs will be permitted and these shall be erected on two upright poles. The poles shall be provided by the Council and shall be erected against or upon the wall of the structures on each side of the lane entrance.

On front facades within the town centre the Planning Authority will only permit new advertising signs which reflect traditional styles and materials. In particular the Planning Authority will encourage the use of traditional hand-painted signs which are externally illuminated. Plastic and internally illuminated signs will not be permitted.

The number of advertising signs on front facades shall be limited to one in addition to the fascia sign, except where more than one business is being operated from the building.

In other areas of the town the Planning authority will encourage the use of traditional style signs on the facades of retail/commercial units. For other forms of development signs affixed to buildings shall not be internally illuminated.

Advertising signs for premises located within a shopping arcade should be grouped in list form on a single advertising display board to be located at the entrances to the arcade.

It is the policy of the Council to rationalise the position regarding advertising and directional signs relating to overnight accommodation in the town by;

1. providing suitable designed fingerpost signs (750 mm x 270 mm) clearly identifying each road and estate within the town;
2. permitting a maximum of two number fingerpost signs (550 mm x 150 mm) per establishment to be erected at the entrance(s) to the road or estate in which they are located, and
3. limiting the number of advertising signs, other than directional signs, to one number sign per establishment. This shall be erected within the boundaries of the site, shall be less than 0.6 sq. metres in surface area, shall be of traditional hand-painted quality, and shall not be internally illuminated.

Development and the disabled

The level of awareness and concern for the disabled has increased over recent years. In accordance with the principle of increasing this general level of awareness, the Council will adopt the minimum design criteria as set out in "Access for the Disabled" published by the National Rehabilitation Board as a standard condition for developments with access for the general public. The Building Control Regulations are also significant in this context.

Preservation of buildings

The Council recognises the importance of retaining and improving those architectural, historical and artistic buildings and structures which contribute to the character of the town and enhance its amenity. It is therefore, the aim and objective of the Council to pursue the preservation and conservation of these structures and features, both in the long and short term. Particular attention will be paid to the likely effect of new development proposals on structures and features of merit. The Council shall seek to co-operation of owners and occupiers in the preservation and conservation of buildings of merit.

Archaeological sites

In considering applications for development on or near sites of archaeological significance, the Planning Authority shall have regard to the Sites and Monuments Record County Kerry as published in 1990 by the Office of Public Works. Any such applications shall be referred to the Office of Public Works for its recommendations.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Land use zoning objectives

The purpose of land use zoning is to indicate the planning control objectives of the Local Authority for all the lands in its administrative area, with the aim of establishing an urban form focused around the existing town centre.

The establishment of zoning objectives, as illustrated on the accompanying Land Use Zoning Maps (Nos. 1Z and 2Z) will facilitate the identification of compatible land uses for each particular zone. The matrix of land uses in the Table provided on this page provides a guideline as to "permitted" and "not permitted" uses in each zone.

Uses shown as "open for consideration" are not acceptable in principle and it is important to note that these uses will not normally be permitted. It is only in particular cases where the Planning Authority is satisfied that the use(s) would not conflict with the general objectives for the zone and could be permitted without undesirable consequences for the permitted uses that they can be allowed.

Five zoning areas have been established, each incorporating a range of land uses, rather than a singular use designation.

They are:

1. Residential Use
2. Town Centre Activities
3. Industrial use
4. Amenity and Open Space
5. Amenity Area of Special Control

Zone A - Residential Use

The principle use in this zoning is residential. Community facilities such as schools, churches and hospitals with their associated lands are included in this zoning. It is the objective of this zoning to preserve the amenities of existing residential areas, to allocate sufficient undeveloped lands to allow a degree of flexibility and choice for new residential development, and to preserve the character of those community facilities located in these areas. It is also the objective of this zoning to control the future development of lands for residential use by encouraging in-depth development and the development of back lands.

Zone B - Town Centre Activities

The objective is to provide for and improve the development of the town centre. This aim covers the central area and includes a wide and varied range of land uses providing for commercial, residential, recreational and industrial activities. It is envisaged that this land use mix will continue.

Certain uses which, because of their particular requirements, may not be permitted in the town centre, while others due to the creation of noise or traffic problems, are left open to consideration.

Zone C - Industrial Use

The objective here is to provide for industrial and related uses. This zone is primarily industrial and all such uses other than "special industries" may be permitted. Uses which do not directly relate to industrial activities, such as housing or community facilities, shall not be permitted.

Zone D - Amenity and Open Space

The objective here is to preserve and improve existing public open space and also to ensure the protection of areas of high amenity. Only uses consistent with the preservation of amenity and the recreational character of these areas will be considered. As recreational activities diversify, other uses will be incorporated into recreational and open space areas. Unrelated uses such as shops and houses will not be permitted. The development of recreational buildings, buildings for cultural use and car parks are left open to consideration.

Zone E - Amenity Area of Special Control

A fifth land use zone has been established and is illustrated on the Land Use Zoning Map (No. 1Z). This use zone is not specifically defined in the Land Use Matrix Table. This zone comprises the lands bordering the shore of the Lower Lake which are under special ownership and control, and includes the National park, Golf Course, Race Course and Castlerosse Hotel areas. In principle, the uses defined in Zone D - To Preserve Amenity and Open Space - shall apply. In order to ensure the preservation and protection of this zone, any development proposals including those normally exempted under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations 1977 - 1992 shall be required to be the subject of prior consultation with the Planning Authority and where necessary, the subject of a planning application. In the case of the National Park area, any development proposals shall now be the subject of a planning application as required under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1993.

MATRIX OF LAND USES RELATED TO ZONING OBJECTIVES

Specific works objectives

The specific works objectives of the Council are set out hereunder and where appropriate, they are shown on the Objectives Maps 1 and 2. Many of the objectives relate to works which the Council intends to initiate in the five year period following the adoption of the Plan. Other medium and long term proposals are indicated in order to safeguard the lands required for their execution and to secure that their eventual implementation is not prejudiced by other development.

Availability of finance

The achievement of specific objectives in many cases is dependent on the availability of the necessary capital and approvals from Central Government. Particular objectives may be modified or deleted and new works may be initiated, depending on the availability of capital and the sanctioning of schemes and works by Central Government. The specific objectives of the Council are set out in the following pages.

Specific works objectives

Objective Description, Extend and Intended Action

Housing

1. To facilitate the continued development of the proposed joint housing scheme at Deer Park.
2. To provide for the completion of Ballyspillane Housing Estate.
3. To encourage and facilitate the development of back land areas for residential purposes at Ardshanavooly, Dromhale, Ballycasheen and Scrahane townlands and to investigate where considered necessary, the preparation of Action Area Plans for the orderly development of the areas.
4. To secure additional lands for public housing.

Water Supply

1. To complete the investigation into the possible upgrading of the Council's Torc Water Standby Supply.
2. To continue to upgrade where necessary, the town's water supply pipes network.

Sewerage System

1. To extend the sewage treatment plant from its present population equivalent capacity of 30,000 to a new limit of 42,000.
2. To upgrade the existing network of foul sewers throughout the town and to provide a new separate stormwater drainage system for the town.

Refuse Collection

1. To continue to extend the town's domestic refuse collection service to newly developing areas.
2. To seek the introduction of the more automated "Wheely Bin" system of refuse collection to the town.

Road and Traffic

1. To provide a south-western Relief Road from the Flesk Bridge on the Muckross Road to Cathedral Place, as a long-term objective.
2. To extend, with the co-operation of Kerry County Council, the Relief Road from the Tralee Road roundabout to the Fossa Road at Ballydowney Bridge.
3. To improve, in co-operation with Kerry County Council, the entrance roads to the town, and in particular the Cork Road (N.22) from the Castle Heights Hotel to Woodford Bridge, and the Fossa to Ballydowney Bridge National Secondary Road.
4. To improve the Ballycasheen Road/Woodlawn Road from its junction with the Cork Road to its junction with Muckross Road and to improve the Lewis Road, because of their strategic importance in linking National Primary to National Secondary Routes.
5. To improve, with the co-operation of the County Council, the network of public directional signs both on the approach roads to Killarney and on the roads within the urban area.
6. To widen the Railway Bridge on Countess Road, to re-align parts of the southern side of Countess Road and to provide a new road link southward to the Ballycasheen Road.
7. To re-align and improve, where appropriate, roads and streets incorporating roundabouts where suitable, with the urban area and to provide and/or improve footpaths where so required.
8. To provide for the development of access roads to facilitate the development of back land areas at Scrahane and Ballycasheen.
9. To provide for the development of back land areas by restricting development at specific points along main road frontages and by preserving access points onto the following roads:

• Countess Road
• Woodlawn Road
• Ballycasheen Road
• Ross Road
• Muckross Road

1. To improve traffic flow and road junctions (by the provision of roundabouts where appropriate) at:

• Lewis Road/St. Anne's Road
• High Street/St. Anne's Road/Rock Road
• Woodlawn/The Cork road
• Muckross Road/Ross Road
• Countess Road/Countess Road Estate
• Kenmare Place/East Avenue Road
• Woodlawn Road/Muckross Road

Town Centre Roads and Parking

1. To seek the provision of an Inner Urban Relief Road between Kenmare Place/Ha-Ha and Cathedral Place, via the rear of New Street Car Park.
2. To investigate the provision of new traffic management measures, including the introduction of on-street parking restrictions, one-way streets and pedestrianisation, and to monitor on an on-going basis the effects of these measures on the traffic flow, amenities, and commercial activities within the town.
3. To investigate the improvement of the junction of Bohereen na Goun and New Street.
4. To seek the provision of vehicular access to the New Street Lower properties adjoining the convent.
5. To seek the provision of new road accesses to facilitate the development of back land areas at Chapel Lane and at New Road and at High Street.
6. To provide access to New Street car park via the proposed Inner Relief Road (see TC.1).
7. To acquire lands for the development of a public car park at the rear of High Street (western side).
8. To seek the provision of small off-street car parking areas within the older established housing estates to facilitate residents only.
9. To encourage the development of private car parking facilites within the town centre area.
10. To seek the provision of an adequate parking area to cater for buses for both day-trippers and overnight visitors to the town.
11. To provide roundabouts where appropriate at suitable road junctions within the town.

Public Lighting

1. To extend the public lighting facilities to developing areas.
2. To extend the decorative lighting systems in the town centre area.
3. With the co-operation of the appropriate authorities, to encourage the continuation of programmes to eliminate overhead electricity and telephone cables.

Community Facilities

• To preserve sites and work with Kerry County Council towards the development of new community facilities, including playing pitches and sports complex/swimming pool at Deer Park.

Industry

1. To co-operate with Kerry County Council and the I.D.A. in the development and promotion of the I.D.A.'s Industrial Estate at Tiernaboul.
2. To seek the relocation from the town centre (to more suitable sites in Killarney) of any unsuitable commercial businesses which, by their operations or by their generating of heavy commercial traffic, are suitably located within the town.

Amenity and Open Space

1. To conserve the recreational and amenity open spaces at the former Kenmare and Killarney Estate areas of the National Park in co-operation with the National Parks and Monuments Service of the Office of Public Works.
2. To seek the development of more public access points to the lakes and the creation of a continuous walkway along the lake shore. These objectives relate only to land within the urban boundary and may be dependant on landowner co-operation and any right-of-way prohibition that might arise.
3. To seek the development of a river walk along the River Flesk, the provision of access points to the river bank walk, and the planting of additional trees along the river bank.
4. To preserve the amenity open space area north of the Cathedral.
5. To improve the environmental amenity of all existing and proposed public car parking areas by the provision of tree and shrub planting to break up their visual expanse.
6. To provide further tree planting and amenity facilities in the public areas throughout the town, particularly in residential areas, with the co-operation of local community bodies.
7. To encourage and facilitate the development of the proposed new sports facilities at Deer Park and Ardshanavooley, in co-operation with Kerry County Council.
8. To preserve and protect the recreational and amenity open space areas at the Golf Course, Race Course and Fitzgerald Stadium.
9. To continue to improve the street surfaces, street furniture and footpaths in the town.

CONSERVATION/PRESERVATION OBJECTIVES

Buildings and structures for preservation and conservation

It is the objective of the Council to secure the preservation or conservation of the buildings and structures specified in Lists and 2. No building or other structure in List 1 and 2 may be demolished or altered without a grant of permission under the Planning Acts. The Planning Authority will serve a notice of intention to secure the preservation of the buildings or structures on the owners and occupiers. This will have the effect of bringing under planning control works comprising the demolition or external alteration of such buildings or structures.

The Planning Authority will encourage the preservation or conservation of noteworthy features and architectural detailing of structures, and the continuity and character of buildings and streetscapes.

The grading in the lists below is based on the document titled "Survey of Areas and Sites of Historic and Artistic Interest in County Kerry" published by An Foras Forbartha.

List 1 - Buildings and Structures to be preserved

List 2 - Buildings and features to be protected

Preservation of trees

The Planning Authority shall seek to secure that as far as possible, existing trees of special amenity value in the town are protected and maintained. It is an objective of the Plan to preserve the trees listed in List 3 and shown on Maps 1 and 2. it is also an objective of the Council that where development is permitted, trees or groups of trees of significance within the area being developed shall be incorporated into the development and shall be maintained.

List 3 - Trees for preservation

DEVELOPMENT CONTROL

General

The Planning Authority is required to control development by ensuring that permission granted under the Planning Acts is consistent with the policies and objectives of the Development Plan. This part of the Development Plan Review is concerned with the criteria which will be applied to development proposals.

In assessing whether a proposed development is in accordance with the proper planning and development of the area, it is necessary apart from the wider policy issues and objectives to relate it to a series of more specific and detailed planning principles, standards and regulations. These are set out in the following sections.

Provision is made for a flexible application of prescribed standards in particular circumstances where proposed development is otherwise consistent with the proper planning and development of the area and the preservation and improvement of amenities.

Site development standards

A high quality of layout and architectural design is possible over a wide range of densities. Very low densities in an urban area can result in a wasteful use of land. Over-development of a site can adversely affect the amenities of adjoining properties and areas, generate more traffic than the road network can accommodate, reduce private open space on the site concerned, and raise problems with regard to the provision of adequate sunlight and daylight, air and ventilation in the development itself and in adjoining buildings.

For the purposes of development control procedures and to provide guidance for the general public, site coverage and residential density standards are outlined in succeeding paragraphs.

Density

Residential densities will be controlled throughout the development area. In general, the density in housing development shall range between 14 - 25 houses per hectare

(6 -10 houses per acre) in areas zoned Residential Use and a density of up to 37 houses per hectare (15 houses per acre) will be considered in the area zoned Town Centre Activities. Residential densities shall be decided by the particular design and layout, taking into account the economic use of services and availability of open space.

Site Coverage

Site coverage is determined by dividing the ground floor area by the gross site area, excluding any land lying between the building line and the public street. The maximum site coverage for industrial developments shall be 65%, for residential developments 50% and for town centre uses, of up to 80% coverage will be considered.

Amenity and design standard

Residential layout and design

New residential layouts shall provide a safe and attractive environment. Layouts having curvilinear roads, cul-de-sac clusters of houses, a variety of house sizes and design and landscaped spaces will be encouraged.

All proposed development shall take cognisance of the natural amenities of the site, including its physical feature, existing views from the site, existing trees and hedgerows and any existing structures of architectural or historical merit. In making an application for planning permission it will be required, where necessary, to submit a tree survey of the site and to indicate proposals for the retention or removal of trees and new planting and landscaping proposals.

Private open space

To ensure the necessary degree of household privacy, private open space shall be provided in the form of rear gardens of minimum length of 11 metres (36 feet). New houses shall have rear garden outdoor sitting areas not directly overlooked by adjacent or opposing outdoor sitting areas or living rooms. A flexible approach will be taken on the above standards in Town Centre situations.

In suburban situations, a distance of 4.5 metres (14.75 feet) shall be provided between detached dwellings, for the full lengths of their flanks. No part of a dwelling house shall be built within 1.5 metres (5 feet) of the site boundary. It is also desirable that each site should have a minimum clearance of 3 metres (10 feet) on one side and 1.5 metres (5 feet) on the other between the actual dwelling house and the adjacent site boundary. For semi-detached housing, a minimum clearance of 3 metres (10 feet) shall be provided between the dwelling and the site boundary on the open side of the house.

These dimensions are to be used as guidelines and may be altered/relaxed in consideration of the prevailing circumstances.

All residential developments shall include screen walls of at least 2 metres (6 feet, 6 inches) in height along that part of the side boundaries which are behind the building line where the site abuts roads, pedestrian ways and public open space.

Public Open Space

A minimum of 10% of the total area of any proposed residential development shall be provided by the developers as usable recreational open space. This space shall be an integral part of the development and should be provided in one unit with easy access to all houses in the development.

In residential developments being built in one phase, the open space being provided shall be completed before house building commences. Where a development is being built in two or more phases, the open space shall be provided immediately after the building of the first phase and before the commencement of the second phase.

Proposals for the provision of public open space shall include details for the drainage and landscaping of the open space area.

Building Design

Where development (including reconstruction) is proposed in a developed area, recognition of existing parapets, eaves, lines of window heads and other elevational features must be a feature of the proposed design. Established roof lines, eaves lines and building lines shall be maintained, and where necessary a new building line shall be determined by the Planning Authority. In residential areas the building line shall not generally be less than 8 metres from the inside edge of the footpath.

New buildings shall generally have pitched roofs and materials shall harmonise with those of existing structures. The design of existing boundary walls and railings should be reflected in the new development. Where development is proposed adjoining a building of special architectural quality, more stringent requirements will be necessary.

Public Services

The Planning Authority shall require that all public utilities be placed underground or alternatively that their routes and general design provide for a minimal impact on the urban scene.

ROADS AND PARKING

Roads and Street Design

The guidelines to be adopted in respect of roads in new housing areas shall be those contained in An Foras Forbartha's "Recommendations for Site Development Works for Housing Areas". Access roads should have a minimum carriageway width of 6 metres although this may be relaxed where only a small number of dwellings are proposed. Access from the public road for new developments shall be in conformity with approved standards and designed so as not to cause a traffic hazard. All junctions internal to estate developments shall be T-junctions and sight-lines at junctions shall permit the safe movement of traffic at the junction. Cul-de-sac shall have adequate turning areas at the ends of sufficient dimensions to cater to emergency and service vehicles.

Pedestrian Movement

Footpaths shall be provided on all access roads into and within residential developments. The width of such paths shall be 2 metres except in cases of limited development where a narrowing of the footpath may be allowed.

A pedestrian system, separate from vehicular movement, may be required where the size of the scheme, its location, layout or other particular circumstances make this desirable.

Access to Back lands

Access to back lands shall be preserved by developers in cases of all roadside development. The Planning Authority may require such access to be maintained in specific locations to permit the future development of these areas.

Car Parking Standards

In all developments the parking standards set out in the Table shall be applied to ensure the adequate provision of off-street car parking. Car parking areas and parking bays shall be provided in accordance with the guidelines laid out in Appendix A.

Car parking standards

Other developments shall be individually assessed

Petrol filling stations and service stations

Planning applications for petrol and service stations shall be considered primarily with reference to the effect on traffic safety and the amenity of the area. Petrol stations shall not be permitted where the development would give rise to a traffic hazard due to the location of the development being at or close to a road junction, or where minimum visibility standards cannot be provided or the development cannot comply with the standards required in the Development Plan. The Planning Authority will ensure that there be minimal interference with the amenities of the area, and in particular those associated with adjoining residential properties.

The erection of a canopy over the centre island shall not be permitted where it would interfere with the flow of vehicular traffic along the adjoining public road or where it would be injurious to the visual amenities of the area.

The siting and layout of petrol filling and service stations shall comply with the standards specified in Appendix B.

Advertisements

Applications for advertisements shall be considered with a view to reconciling the needs of commercial interests with the protection of amenities as stated in the Council's policy in Section 2.15. The following guidelines shall be followed;

1. Advertisement signs and structures shall not generally be permitted in residential areas if they compete with road signs, on or near buildings of architectural or historical importance, or in amenity and recreation areas.
2. Signs shall not be permitted to project above the roofline of buildings.
3. Shopfront signs shall be confined to the fascia and should be in keeping with the scale of the building.
4. Signs attached to building shall not interfere with windows or other significant features of the building facade and shall not exceed 0.47 sq. metres (5 sq. feet) in surface area, on one side.
5. Signs should generally respect the scale and character of the location and should be of a high standard of design. In particular, signs on traditional style shopfronts and other premises shall be of traditional design and construction.
6. Illuminated signs shall not generally be favoured and will only be permitted where they conform to the requirements above and have a satisfactory appearance when not illuminated.

Directional signs, finger signs and advertising signs for guest accommodation shall be erected in conformity with the standards specified in Appendix D.

Caravan and camping sites

The Council recognises the need for properly developed sites to cater for holiday caravans and tents. The provision of these sites will generally be permitted where the topography would allow their siting without injury to amenity or public health. In dealing with the planning applications for caravan sites, the standards specified in Appendix C shall be imposed.

Security bonds and development charges

To ensure the satisfactory completion of multiple developments undertaken by private developers which will, in the long term, be taken over by Local Authority, the Council will impose as a condition of permission that a security will be lodged with the Council to achieve that end. The security shall consist of a cash deposit or security bond which shall be lodged with the Planning Authority prior to the commencement of the development.

Under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1963 Section 26 (1), a contribution may be required towards any expenditure incurred by any Local Authority in respect of works which facilitate a proposed development. This section of the Act makes it possible for a Planning Authority to impose development charges which can include the cost of provision of water supply, drainage schemes, road improvements and other ancillary services which could be deemed to facilitate the development.

These development charges are levied, as once-off payments, by way of inclusion among the conditions attached to the grant of planning permission on the particular site, and shall be paid by the developer to the Urban District Council before the commencement of the development.

All developments (with the exception of a private residential extension to an existing dwelling house) to be connected to the Sanitary Services shall involve the payment of water supply and sewerage levies.

In the case of an industrial process, the amount of the contribution for sewerage services shall be based on the quality and quantity of effluent involved.

APPENDIX A

Car parking areas

1. For all forms of development the required car parking and service facilities shall be provided within the curtilage of the site or convenient to the principle use served.
2. The car parking area should be sited behind the established building line so as to ensure minimal interference with the amenity of adjoining premises.
3. Parking facilities provided in front of the building line shall be suitably landscaped and screened to protect the visual amenities of the area.
4. Car parking associated with buildings which have late night uses must be sited and screened so as to minimise the impact of noise and disturbance on neighbouring developments.
5. Car parking bays shall have minimum dimensions of 4.8 m X 2.4 m.
6. Aisles may vary in width from 7.6 m for 90 parking to 5.5 m for 60 parking to 3.7 m for 45 parking.
7. Parking bays and aisles shall be clearly marked out.
8. parking areas shall be graded, surfaced with durable dust-free material, drained and properly maintained.
9. In addition to the provision of car parking accommodation, loading bays having dimensions of 6.1 m x 3.0 m shall be required by the Planning Authority to serve commercial, industrial and warehousing developments.
10. Loading bays shall be required at the following rate;
    Commercial developments - 2 spaces per 1,000 sq. m. of gross floor area
    Industrial & Warehousing - 1.5 spaces per 1,000 sq. m. of gross floor area.

APPENDIX B

Petrol filling stations and service stations

1. The frontage of the filling station shall be a minimum of 30.5 m. (100 feet) long. Where the petrol pumps and other services are at a distance of 9.1 m. (30 feet) or more from the street boundary of the site, the frontage may be reduced by 15.2 m. (50 feet).
2. Not more than two vehicular openings on to the street shall be permitted. The width of the access shall be a minimum 6.1 m. (20 feet) and not more than 9.1 m. (30 feet).
3. The radii of the curves at the entrance and exit shall be a minimum of 10 m. (33 feet).
4. The centre island containing the pumps shall in no case be less than 6.7 m. (22 feet) from the roadside boundary.
5. The site shall be clearly demarcated from the public road by a low wall or fence of at least 300 mm. (12 inches) in height. This wall shall be constructed along the length of the roadside boundary except at the vehicular openings.
6. The surface of the forecourt shall be surfaced in durable, dust-free material, be adequately drained and maintained in good condition.
7. Provision shall be made for the storage and removal of waste material. Adequate grease intercepting traps shall be provided.
8. Only one company identification sign shall be permitted and shall be a maximum height of 4.6 m. (15 feet) in height.

APPENDIX C

Caravan and camping site standards

1. The size of a caravan site shall be limited to not more than 60 caravans in the case of touring caravans and 30 caravans in the case of renting caravans.
2. The maximum density permitted is 40 caravans per hectare (16 per acre) on serviced sites.
3. The spacing shall be a minimum of 6 m. (20 feet) in all directions around each temporary dwelling and 9 m. (30 feet) between each pitch and any permanent structure.
4. Temporary dwellings shall not be permitted to be located less than 30 m. (33 feet) from any point on the public road. Suitable screening shall also be provided.
5. There shall be a minimum of one waterpoint (standby tap) for every eight pitches and this should be located within a maximum distance of 45 m. (50 yards) from any temporary dwelling.
6. Where practical, a fire hydrant should be provided on the caravan site, ideally within 90 m. of the furthest pitch.
7. Sanitary accommodation shall be designed and constructed to provide users with a clean and hygienic facility. The number and type of sanitary fittings installed shall be calculated in relation to the number of pitches on the site and shall be in accordance with the following:

• Consideration shall also be given in the designs of sanitary blocks for incorporating separate sanitary facilities and means of access for disabled persons.
• The sanitary accommodation shall not be within 11 m. (35 feet) of any dwelling.
• Adequate arrangements shall be made to deal with the storage, removal and disposal of refuse. Refuse shall be collected into covered galvanised containers having well-fitting lids.

APPENDIX D

Advertising signs

Signs at Entrance to Laneways

1. Such signs shall be similar in size to directional fingerpost signs, i.e. 750 mm. x 270 mm. and shall be erected on two upright poles.
2. The number of signs to be attached to the uprights shall not exceed six, except under special circumstances.
3. The topmost sign shall be the official Council name-sign indicating the name of the lane. Alternatively, the name-sign shall be attached to the side wall of the structures on each side of the lane entrance.
4. The overall height shall not exceed 4 m. (13 feet) and the lowermost sign shall be a minimum of 1 m. (3.3 feet) above ground level, where lane entrances are completely open i.e. not entered under an archway.

The content of the sign will be restricted to two elements:

• Name
• Type of shop/business premises.
• Illuminated signs will not be permitted.
• Advertising signs for individual premises located on the lanes may be permitted for a limited period only. In the case of more than four or five premises requiring advertising signs, all individual signs shall be removed and replaced by one single sign indicating "Shopping Area" which shall include a list of the type of premises on the lane.
• The erection and maintenance of the fingerpost sized signs will be undertaken by the Council for a fee additional to the licence fee.
• The Council may remove any sign on termination of the establishment/premises.
• The Council may review the necessity of any advertising sign in relation to (vii) above and in relation to the redevelopment of these back lane areas.

Signs for Guest Houses and B & B Establishments

1. Finger signs for the individual premises will be located on the same pole as the larger road/estate directional signs.
2. A maximum of two such finger signs for each premises will be permitted.
3. Advertising signs for guest houses and B & B establishments shall be located on their own property and shall not exceed 0.6 sq. m. in area.
4. Non-reflectorised lettering is recommended having regard to the amenity of the area and to avoid confusion with reflectorised road/traffic signs.
5. Illuminated signs will not normally be permitted, except in special circumstances. Illumination if desired, should be by way of an overhead strip light.
6. All such advertising signs should be of a high quality of design and execution, consistent with preserving the visual amenities of the area and of the town.