The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
‘Don’t be driving a parish mad’
CONTROVERSY CONTINUES TO RAGE OVER WATERVILLE CARPARK PROPOSAL
INDEPENDENT Councillor Johnny Healy-Rae said Kerry County Council’s proposal for a new car park in Waterville has caused anguish in the seaside village, and he told the local authority “Don’t be driving a parish mad” by pursuing the proposed project.
The hugely controversial proposal would create a new car park in a ‘green area’ in the vicinity of the promenade.
Many locals have claimed such a development would destroy the village’s seafront, and that no public consultation with locals has taken place to date.
A large number of local businesses have expressed opposition, and an online petition against the development has garnered almost 950 signatures, a Kenmare Municipal District meeting heard.
Last Friday, a contingent of more than 20 people – part of ‘Save our Seafront’, a local group opposed to the proposal – attended the meeting while councillors questioned KCC on the matter.
Councillor Michael Cahill (Fianna Fáil) asked Kerry County Council to source alternative lands for parking. Councillor Patrick O’Connor-Scarteen (Fine Gael) said that KCC has to engage more with the locals, adding that €200,000 in funding secured under the Town and Village
Renewal Scheme for works in Waterville should be used in a manner the whole community is happy with.
Cllr Healy-Rae said the seafront must be protected at all costs, and he was scathing of the process to date.
“Once again I think KCC have the cart put before the horse,” he said. “They landed with the money, they’ve no agreement, they applied for the money with, I believe, a limited number of people.
“They’ve antagonised the situation by marking out some of the car park, and they said it’s going to have no effect on people. I think that’s reckless.
“Bring the people with ye, meet them, and don’t make applications for projects without the good will of the rate payers and people on the ground.
“Forget about it. Don’t spend taxpayers money on it...Don’t be driving a parish mad for nothing,” he added.
Councillor Norma Moriarty, however, said that traffic and parking issues in Wateville must be addressed.
She said these problems had been noted by a report as long ago as 1996. The report highlighted car and bus parking, and the need to separate the two. She said an updated survey and alternative proposals should considered, but she added: “I certainly wouldn’t be saying ‘Don’t spend the money in Waterville’”.
In its response to the councillors’ questions, the local authority said its successful application for €200,000 for works in Waterville was submitted after consultation with IRD Waterville.
It also said it had “preliminary engagement” with local groups and that the process will entail further public consultation.
The local authority said no plans for the development have yet been published.
“In relation to some publishing plans and setting out the location, this was not done by KCC or with the permission of KCC,” said area engineer Padraig Teahan.
“It [the project] originated from the community. That’s why we took the project on.”
Mr Teahan said the council had a meeting in Waterville prior to submitting the funding application: “It wasn’t a meeting in passing...we stood on site at the area under consideration.”
He said the project was similar to others in the district, and he sees no reason why it wouldn’t be successful.
He concluded by saying a process finalising plans was underway, adding that these plans would not necessarily have to be for the suggested location.