Main reasons

Benefits and opportunities exist around the Circular Economy

for the betterment of our environment and all its inhabitants and hopefully help in the regeneration of all its wild life including the Nore Fresh water pearl muscle.

See Letter attached

There is considerable scope to apply the principles of the Circular Economy right across activities, environemental, social and economic, so that the community benefits and sustainable development is ensured.

We cannot keep going in this direction. We cannot expect miracles in terms of technology to sort things out for us. Agriculture has a huge role to play in this country. We need to move away from the Business as Usual big business model and return to nature and support farmers who will have to make the transition to ensure a safe and healthy future for us all

road safety, pedestrian and cycle connectivity.

Little space is being left for wildlife habitats

The goal of the Green Factor Approach or BAF is to mitigate the effects of development by maintaining sufficient levels of green infrastructure while enhancing the quality of the remaining vegetation. Integration of the BAF/ green factor approach into urban policy aims to improve the ‘urban ecosystem’ by promoting the green efficiency of vegetation and the conservation of sufficient green structure, whilst making towns and cities more resilient, sustainable and healthier places in the process.

Cultural heritage, archological value, and aesthetic value of land may be set aside for the sake of environmental issues which can be solved in other ways.

Integration between people of varying support needs (disability, mental health, older people), building on social capital and informal support networks where Camphill communities have developed.

We cannot call a public meeting to discuss and share this information and many that I have spoken to by phone were completely unaware that this rezoning of larnd was happening in their community.

An upgrade of this stretch of road would enhance sustainable travel between Dunmore and Kilkenny City and encourage more visitors to access the proposed Biodiversity Park. It would also assist greatly the many drivers (circa 12,000 per day in 2019 - pre-pandemic) who use this road on a daily basis.

The Ferrybank/Belview Local Area Plan which was introduced in 2017 has been rendered obsolete by the change in targets for population growth, employment growth and having regard for the creation of the Waterford Metropolitan Area.

‘Urban Agriculture’ shares the exact same planning objective as the two other planning zone criteria for actively farmed lands within the city boundary. All other criteria relating to ‘Urban Agriculture are ill defined or vague , unlike ‘Agriculture’ or ‘Area of Strategic Reserve’ zoning, and consequently has no clear distinct purpose under planning acts and in its actual proposed use for planning purposes. ‘Urban Agriculture’ as a zoning appears to apply extra restrictions, somewhat arbitrarily and without clear planning purpose, to two individual family farms occupying a tiny portion of the total area and a very small proportion of land in agricultural use within the same city boundary. It is unnecessary and, if adopted, potentially problematic for the council. For effective urban planning in Kilkenny City this new planning zone of ‘Urban Agriculture’ should be removed.

Avoid inappropriate uses in Business & Industrial zones

This zoning change and split of different zonings, in the middle of an existing estate (parts of which are currently still under construction) will in effect destroy the low density established character of the Rath Úllord estate and indeed undermine the basis of extant planning permissions currently under construction and due for construction.

Draft City and County Development Plan, The Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, R95 A39T. Kilkenny City and County Draft Development Plan 10th March 2021 To whom it may concern, I wish to thank you for this this opportunity to make a submission to the Kilkenny City and County Draft Development Plan. I am extremely concerned at the proposed changes to the Wind Energy Section in the Draft Document, more specifically the re-designation of Castlebanny, Co. Kilkenny. There has been no meaningful consultation with members of the public or local residents by the developers.There have been no open public meetings, online or offline,only people within 2km of the Turbine.Although the plans are available for inspection at Thomastown planning office, the office is officially closed because of Covid 19 and consequently, citizens are not able to inspect these plans freely and at their convenience and instead, have to make an appointment to do so. The Castlebanny area is renowned for its natural beauty and heritage from St. Molings Well to Jerpoint Abbey to Woodstock Estate and Gardens. The National trail the South Leinster Way that traverses Castlebanny is a magnet for both National and International visitors who come to the area for its scenic views and peaceful setting. I believe that the unspoiled countryside of Castlebanny overlooking the ArrigleValley Ballyhale,Thomastow Inistioge and Mullinavat should be valued and respected for its natural heritage and idyllic views. The recent report that Irelands National Biodiversity plan has failed means that Ireland will need to work harder to protect, promote and encourage our existing biodiversity and natural habitats. The designation of the Castlebanny area for large scale industrialisation would mean clearing and destruction of naturally biodiversity rich vegetation and the displacement of protected mammals, birds, bats, insects and butterflies ultimately not halting loss of biodiversity in Kilkenny or in Ireland. The Natura 2000 Network of the River Arrigle (SAC) and River Nore (SPA) and its Annex I and II species need to be protected in County Kilkenny. There are also many health issues that these wind turbines can also cause. Noise:- Construction noise, Low Frequency Sound, Infrasound vibration Air Quality:- Carcinogenic silica dust created by construction phase Water pollution:- pollution to the Aquifer created by construction phase Health effects on children and those with on the Autism Spectrum. The proposed ‘Castlebanny Wind Farm’ is 2.8 km from Ballyhale Pre-School and National School. It will also cause.. A drop in Tourism . People get out of cities to the countryside for the scenery and peace - they certainly don’t want to be looking at an Industrial Scale Wind Farm. There are plenty more places in Ireland to visit that don’t have wind turbines! An estate agents report projects a 30% to 40% drop in property value in the areas surrounding Castlebanny. The same could be said for hospitality businesses and properties:- restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, b&b’s, campsites and recreational land:- golf courses, horse riding facilities etc. Failing population growth and economic growth due to property and land devaluation. Therefore I am requesting that the Castlebanny area is Not designated as ‘Acceptable in Principle’ for wind energy developments. The Kilkenny City and County Development Plan cannot be assessed in the absence of a robust and firm National Wind Energy Strategy. There can be no change to the current development plan without a National Plan. Castlebanny is currently designated as ‘Open for Consideration’ to Wind Energy. This must continue to be the case. I am again formally requesting that the Castlebanny area is Not designated as ‘Acceptable in Principle’ for wind energy developments. Regards, Josie Grace Coolroebeg Thomastown

Biodiversity, noise, property devaluation, health implications, no consultation with residents in terms of location of turbine units, no clear communication of project management throughout project and facility life cycle.

To accurately reflect the current use of this portion of the site and to allow further development of Park & ride or Pedal & ride facilities in line with the Mobility plan outlined by the local authority.

To allow for the proper planning and sustainable development of the Primary Care Centre site.

This is a unique landscape. Siting wind turbines as potentially permitted in the Draft Plan will ruin its visual attractivness

Proximity of Head Greenkeeper to golf course, work responsibilities out of hours, security

I and all other current home owners have purchased homes in Rath Ullord based on a low-density site plan. The development is ongoing and split into phases. I fear and expect that the developers will make drastic changes to the site plans should the land be re-zoned. Residents in housing developments should be able to have confidence that their home and surrounding area is completed in the way they were told it would be.

Area is unsuitable

This area should have average windspeeds of 7.5m/s at 80m and will facilitate the erection of 4 no turbines up to 150min overall height whilst maintaining a separation distance of over 4 times the tip height to nearest residences or other sensitive receptors and be n compliance with Draft Wind Energy Guidelines. The Grid Connection would be to the Ballyragget 110kW Substation which is only 3km South East of the proposed site. Delivery and servicing of turbines would be very straightforward as the area can be accessed from N77 through members lands. The area is not located within and SAC, NHA or SPA designated area and does not contain any protected views, waymarked trails, tourism sites or heritage sites. Land use in the area is livestock grazing and there is no peat presence ensuring stable ground conditions. Funding from this windfarm project would be very beneficial to the local community.

To maximise the space around us and not exploit it where there is no need nor is there any community rationale

I live in a quiet rural area with beautiful scenic views surrounded by a fantastic amount of historical sites which includes the Western Ossary High Crosses, the Slatequarries, the Knockroe Passage Tomb the Kilmacoliver Megalithic Tomb, Leac Na Scail and Owning Dolmens and many more sites of national importance which I believe should be protected from industrial wind turbine

1. Growing Club membership 2. Catering for large variety of sports at the O'LG grounds and gym complex 3. Wish to improve overall levels of community sporting and leisure participation 4. Growing demand to accommodate diverse population in the area and improve access for all

Due to the significance of views and sight lines in and around the valley in terms of cultural heritage and tourism.

To promote cycling among all including school-goers and vulnerable users. The goal of more people cycling and fewer cars in the city, with all the associated benefits, will be more achievable with proper infrastructure.

At present this stretch of road is dangerous and not fit for purpose. Also, the changes suggested would lead to an increase in children walking/cycling to school and in adults walking/cycling to work in Kilkenny, as well as allowing access to the proposed biodiversity park on foot or by bike, instead of by car for people living in Kilkenny City.