Consultant Valuer for Central Access Scheme

Tender description

The Kilkenny City and Environs Development Plan 2008 -2014 identifies the Central Access Scheme for the City of Kilkenny as of strategic importance and fully supports its provision. The need for the scheme is also reinforced within the policies set-out in the National Spatial Strategy 2002-2020 and National Development Plan 2007-2013 and the Smarter Travel – A Sustainable Transport Future 2009-2010.In May 2008, Kilkenny County Council, under the Roads Act 1993-2007, submitted an application for Approval to An Bord Pleanála for the Kilkenny Central Access Scheme (KCAS) for the City of Kilkenny.Following an Oral Hearing held in December 2008 and in a letter dated 7th July 2009, An Bord Pleanála informed Kilkenny County Council inter alia, that it is provisionally of the view that it would be appropriate to approve Phase 1 of the proposal, extending from St Canice’s Place to the Castlecomer Road incorporating a proposed bridge crossing of the River Nore, subject to certain alterations. In January 2011 a revised Environmental Impact Statement for the Altered Scheme was submitted to An Bord Pleanála which was subsequently approved in December 2011.The Altered SchemeThe Altered Scheme consists of an urban street approximately 700 metres in length, which will link Saint Canice’s Place on the west of Kilkenny City to the Castlecomer Road on the east of the City. The proposed urban street will incorporate a new bridge crossing of the River Nore. The location and layout of the altered Scheme is illustrated in Appendix A.Present position with Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO).The CPO for the Altered Scheme was published in February 2011 and was confirmed by An Bord Pleanála on the 12th of December 2011. The CPO. became legally operative on the17/2/2012. Kilkenny Local Authorities issued the Notices to Treat to all affected landowners on the 12th of April 2012, thus, commencing the land acquisition process.