The public is being invited to share their views on a detailed new draft masterplan for Milltown.
The in-depth draft plan aims to set out a community-led vision for the future of the town, to develop Milltown as an attractive and desirable place to work, live, visit, and do business.
It analyses the future needs of the town’s young population, across key themes and objectives in the short-term and long-term.
Milltown was one of 26 towns to receive funding for a Town Centre First Masterplan, which has been developed by consultants and a Town Team, along with Kerry County Council.
Almost a third of Milltown’s population is aged 14 or under, with around 60% of the town aged between 15-64, and just 160 people in the town aged over 65, meaning it has a much younger population than Kerry as a whole.
The town’s plan received hundreds of submissions from the public in the pre-consultation stage, forming a picture of what people want in the town, including community amenities, green outdoor social spaces, pedestrian safety, and public transport facilities.
Given the town’s young population, the need for youth facilities, services, and clubs, is identified throughout, while the plan also suggests the provision of a new hotel for tourism, new supermarket, as well as redeveloping derelict buildings and over-the-shop properties.
The draft masterplan identifies The Square, re-imagined as the Heritage Quarter of the town, and the Old Community Hall Square re-imagined as the key civic centre.
It outlines objectives and actions to move from a car-dominated town centre to a pedestrian/cycle-friendly environment, including altering the streetscape and providing an N70 bypass.
The plan notes the community spirit as Milltown’s key strength, but the unavailability of economic and employment opportunities as one of its threats.
It also outlines a delivery action plan, including which state body could lead each action and its potential funding stream.
Submissions and observations can be made on the draft plan until June 13th at 5pm with full details on radiokerry.ie; these will then be compiled to feed into the masterplan before it’s signed off and adopted, which is expected to happen later this year.
