Kilrush pupils help shape town’s development

KILRUSH Town Council has highlighted Kilrush pupils for their input into the development of a new blueprint for the future development of the town.

Hundreds of pupils from Kilrush Secondary School, Gaelscoil Uí Choimín and St Senan’s National School outlined their vision for the future development of their town during a series of meetings with council officials.
Kilrush Town Council is undertaking a period of public consultation as part of a review of the 2008 Development Plan for Kilrush, due to expire in 2014. The Kilrush Development Plan 2014-2020 will determine the future land-use needs of the local community in terms of economic development, recreational and community requirements, as well as residential, transport and infrastructural needs.
Brian McCarthy, senior executive planner, Planning and Enterprise Development explained the feedback received during the school visits would help shape the Kilrush Development Plan 2014 – 2020 in a positive manner.
“We had initially planned to visit the schools during the same day but these visits proved so successful that we extended the schools initiative over three days,” he said.
“Overall, we found that pupils were very informed about their town and demonstrated had a great knowledge and interest in their environment. They particularly liked the setting of the town between the Marina and Vandeleur Walled Gardens and the opportunities this presented for recreation, tourism and economic development. They also liked some of the old buildings, in particular those that have been recently renovated,” he added.
“The revised plan will determine the future land-use needs of the local community in terms of economic development, recreational and community requirements, as well as residential, transport and infrastructural needs. Among the projects, the students of Kilrush said they would like to see developed in the future are an outdoor playground and recreational facilities, as well as a skateboard park. Considerable interest also was shown from the pupils in the development of a cinema that could operate during weekends,” Mr McCarthy concluded.
Community groups, individuals, stakeholders and students in Kilrush are being asked to participate in the public consultation process and to submit written submissions before Tuesday, April 10. There will be an opportunity later in the process for the public to further express their views and make additional submissions.
In making submissions and observations, individuals should state their name, address and, where relevant, the body represented. Submissions or observations should be addressed to: Planning, Economic Development and Enterprise Department, Clare County Council, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, County Clare.
Alternatively, submissions may also be emailed to forwardplan@clarecoco.ie (maximum document size by e-mail: 4MB) or may be faxed to 065 6892071. Submissions made via email must include the full name and address of the person making the submission.
For further information, visit www.clarecoco.ie and www.kilrushtowncouncil.ie.