Three major Kerry infrastructural projects to go through planning again due to error

Irish Independent

28-04-2025

The local authority, in response to media queries, said that an error where submissions from the public were not taken into account during the planning process has led to four infrastructural projects be re-examined.
They have also issued an apology for the inconvenience caused.
Three of the projects have go back to the beginning of the planning process while the fourth will see the completion of an updated report.
The three projects that will have to go through the entire planning process are the redevelopment of Áras Phádraig, Lewis Road, Killarney and public realm improvements at Kenmare Place and Main Street, Killarney, both in the Killarney Municipal District, and safety improvement works at Abbeydorney junction in the Listowel Municipal District.
The fourth project impacted is the N22 MD O'Shea Roundabout to Ballycasheen Road upgrade & L3907 Ballycasheen Road Active Travel Project, in the Killarney Municipal District.
'Following an internal procedural checking process by Kerry County Council, it was found that in four separate instances there were a number of submissions, made through our online public consultation portal, which had not been taken into account during the Part 8 development process. Each of these proposed projects will require to be brought back to the respective Municipal Districts for consideration,' their statement said.
'In relation to three of the four projects, it will be necessary to re-commence the public consultation process and these projects will be re-advertised in the coming weeks. The re-commencement of the Part 8 process is to ensure that all submissions / observations received are taken into consideration for each project. Any person or body that made a submission under the original public consultation process will be updated on the re-advertisement process,' the council continued.
The Áras Phádraig project has already caused controversy given that councillors voted to allow the HSE to develop a primary care centre on the site amid several submissions objecting to this part of the proposal.
Cllr Martin Grady, who did not vote on the original planning process, said that he will be voting against the project when it comes before councillors again as he says the local authority 'should not be giving away our assets'.
The redevelopment of the landmark site would also see the loss of parking spaces – another major issue for councillors and the public including for Cllr Grady who says that the town can't afford to lose one space.