A new era: Minister turns first sod on landmark housing scheme in Kilkenny
THE first sod has been turned on a major development that will see the construction of up to 3,000 housing units and three schools in the city.
Minister of State for Local Government John Paul Phelan and Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Eamon Aylward dug in for the photo op today to mark the beginning of Phase 1 of the Kilkenny Western Environs Infrastructure Scheme.
They were joined by staff and elected Members of Kilkenny County Council, representatives of SIAC Construction Limited and Malone O’Regan Consulting Engineers, along with members of Kilkenny Carlow Education and Training Board.
The scheme extends to 2.3km in length and includes for a new distributor road from the N76 Callan Road to the Circular Road at Robertshill, widening of the existing Circular Road from Robertshill to its junction with the Kilmanagh Road, and widening of the R695 Kilmanagh Road to Drakelands Nursing Home.
The proposed road is single carriageway with footpaths and cycleways on both sides and public lighting throughout.
The scheme is being jointly funded to the tune of €13 million by Kilkenny County Council, and the Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) section of the Rebuilding Ireland programme.
Kilkenny County Council today said the development is “a critical element of the response by Local and National Government to the current housing crisis”.
It added: “Resulting from the investment in this scheme, it is expected that over the next 3-5 years approximately 600 new housing units will be provided in the area, with a total of over 3,000 housing units in the long term. Also planned for the area served by the road are 3 schools (2 secondary and 1 primary), and a significant amount of social infrastructure.”
Minister Phelan expressed his satisfaction that the realisation of the scheme will ensure the delivery of all infrastructure necessary for the orderly development of the area.
He commended Kilkenny County Council on its successful LIHAF funding application.
