Plan to dezone 2,000 acres earmarked for housing

Almost 2,000 acres earmarked for housing in Kerry are to be dezoned under a new plan for the Tralee-Killarney hub.

It was part of an overall programme to dezone about 3,000 acres with the aim of tackling the “over-zoning” that continued during the property boom.

County manager Tom Curran revealed that enough land to cater for six times Kerry’s population had received residential zoning during the boom.

The aim of the new 2013-2019 plan was to have sufficient land zoned to cater for current population projections.

The Tralee and Killarney hub also includes the environs of both towns, including a rural hinterland and villages such as Ballyheigue, Firies, Milltown, Ardfert, Farranfore, Abbeydorney, Beaufort and Kilcummin, among others.

Kerry County Council’s director of planning Michael McMahon said no further land in urban areas will be zoned for housing in the urban areas of Tralee and Killarney.

He estimated the amount required in the hub at 231 acres.

Mr McMahon explained that would result in the dezoning of 1,939 acres deemed residential of which 620 acres were in the Tralee environs and 344 acres in the Killarney environs.

According to the plan, the areas surrounding both towns are under “strong urban influence” and the current level of development was unsustainable.

The council will hold two open days where members of the public can view the plans, with staff available to answer questions, on Apr 9, in county buildings Tralee, and on Apr 11 in Killarney Library.