Kilkenny council submits plans to develop Abbey Quarter site

The first signs of progress at one of the largest developments ever planned in Kilkenny have moved another step closer after the local authority submitted a planning application to develop part of the Abbey Quarter site.

Kilkenny County Council have recently lodged plans with An Bord Pléanala for the proposed development works within the Abbey Quarter (formerly Smithwick’s Brewery site), which include a new urban park, a new street and a new outdoor event space.

The proposed development will cover an area of approximately 1.44ha within the Abbey Quarter development and will include an Urban Park, an Urban Street and provide space to accommodate outdoor events.

The Urban Park, if approved, will be located on the northern part of the Abbey Quarter and is centred around the upstanding remains of St Francis Abbey. The Park will comprise of a variety of grassed areas, trees, paved surfaces, water feature and meeting points and will provide a new amenity area for Kilkenny City.

The Park has been specifically designed to express known historical features in the area, including St. Francis Abbey, the City Walls incorporating Evan’s Turret and St Francis Well and will link the Abbey Quarter to Bateman Quay and St. Francis Bridge in the north. The new street will be pedestrian and cycle friendly with limited access to vehicles.

As the Abbey Quarter is part of a Strategic Infrastructure Development, the application can go straight to An Bord Pléanála to fast track the process.

Submissions from the public regarding the parks’ plans are being accepted up until September 29.