Occupancy is critical to Rathkeale's vitality

Uimhir Thagarta Uathúil: 
LCC-C138-RATH-13
Stádas: 
Submitted
Aighneacht: 
A Community Seat at the Planning Permission Table
Údar: 
David Lamont
Comhairliúchán: 
Proposed Rathkeale Local Area Plan 2023 - 2029

Chapter 6 - Housing

Caibidil: 
Chapter 6 - Housing

Key Points addressed in detail in the attached document.

  • The LAP addresses residences (dwellings) but not the more important occupancy that underpins the town’s economy. The LAP should have clearer occupancy goals.
  • Conclusions about the desirability of single bedroom dwellings are not supported by more recent data.
  • Plans for retail (more shop, services downtown) require demand. Demand comes from residents and visitors, but Rathkeale has an atypical occupancy that lowers consumer spending.
  • Occupancy (12 months vs 5 months per year) is a factor of dwelling type and demographics (age, family, culture.)
  • Occupancy and economic vitality are intertwined. With finite space for new dwellings actual planning permission decisions have the potential to help or hurt Rathkeale’s competitiveness.
  • The Special Development Area grants extra rights that favour one community, potentially reinforcing segregation. The Special Development Area should also come with listed responsibilities to ensure the town remains attractive, both inside and outside the designated area.

Rathkeale’s unique environment is best addressed by giving a town champion a say in planning permission decisions and by using the best information available at the time, including commissioned surveys.

Main opinion: 

If the ten New Residential and Serviced Sites are fully built to the minimum level and the new dwellings are occupied all year by the average 2.59 member households, the plan could exceed the projected population growth by 69%, potentially creating a much-needed boost in the Rathkeale economy. However, the LAP is not specific enough to ensure this optimistic outcome, especially when it calculates 55% vacant dwellings resulting from the annual migratory nature of a large proportion of Rathkeale’s Traveller community. As such, a different mix of dwellings and occupants could severely and permanently hurt Rathkeale’s economic vitality because the space is finite.

Main requests: 

Rathkeale’s unique environment is best addressed by giving a town champion a say in planning permission decisions and by using the best information available at the time, including commissioned surveys.

Main reasons: 

Rathkeale's population is unique so local knowledge is critical.