Conservation
Conservation Officer: Áine Doyle
Location: County Hall, John St, Kilkenny
Contact: Planning Department
Telephone: 056 7794010
Email: planning@kilkennycoco.ie
Record of Protected Structures Kilkenny City and Environs
This record may be amended by the addition or deletion of entries to the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) during the period of the County Development Plan. The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) a unit of the Development of Environment, Heritage and Local Government has completed the survey for County Kilkenny and descriptions and appraisals of over 2000 structures can be viewed at the NIAH website.
The County Council will assess this survey with a view to revising the Record of Protected Structures in tandem with adoption of the new County Development Plan 2008. You may contact the County Council for further information on any aspect of conservation at 056 7794010.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT, HERITAGE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANT SCHEME FOR THE CONSERVATION OF A PROTECTED STRUCTURE WITHIN KILKENNY CITY AND COUNTY - ADMINISTERED BY KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL.
Section 57 Declarations - A General Guide
A declaration for a Protected Structure sets out which categories of works require planning permission and which do not. It cannot give exemptions over and above those which would normally apply if the building were not a protected structure. Change of use of a structure will always require planning permission, for example, irrespective of whether the structure is a protected structure or not.
Protected structure status does not mean that a building or its features are 'preserved' and cannot ever be altered, only that such alterations may require planning permission.
What is being protected is the 'character' of the structure. Certain repair or reinstatement works may be exempt if carried out to an approved standard in a way which does not alter the character. These standards are described in outline in the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government Conservation Guidelines.
Usually, the following types of work require planning permission
(Depending on individual circumstances)
1. Extensions
The building of any extension attached to a protected structure requires planning permission.
2. Changes to the exterior appearance
Works which alter the exterior appearance of the building. These could involve the following:
Walls: repointing, refacing in an applied layer of masonry, brick, wood, plaster or paint, cleaning, damp-proofing, to any wall surface, front, sides or back
Roof: replacement of existing covering materials or rainwater goods, removal of chimneys or chimney pots, alteration of coping stones, gable or eaves parapets.
Openings: replacement of windows, painting or repair of windows, painting of cills, replacement of doors, renovation of fanlights, replacement of letterboxes or door ironmongery.
3. Changes to internal layout
Insertion of any fixed partitions, breaking out of new openings between rooms or spaces, insertion of new doors openings, formation of ramps and the provision of universal access.
4. Changes to the internal surfaces, finishes or linings
Replacement of internal joinery items (such as windows, doors, skirting boards, dado rails, panelling), replacement of integral floor coverings or structures, any works to plasterwork ceilings including work affecting cornices.
5. Installation or repair of internal mechanical services
Rewiring, re-plumbing, insertion of fire detection or security systems, equipment or fixtures, fixing of panelling, removal of fireplaces.
Works that would not usually require planning permission
In most cases, the following works do not require planning permission, unless stated otherwise in a particular declaration
Redecoration:
Painting or wallpapering
Routine maintenance:
Modest repairs to keep a building weather-tight, securing of existing elements of windows (but not replacement), the clearing of gutters and downpipes, gardening activities which do not disturb the sub-soil.