Quarry Notices Issued in Kildare

Kildare County Council have issued notices to quarry owners around the county.  These notices will either inform the owners to seek substitute consent from An Bord Pleanala or that they will be the subject of enforcement action by the council who will seek to close the operation.  Quarry owners have the right to seek a review of the Council’s decision within 21 days from An Bord Pleanala. The substitute consent process is subject to a tight timeframe of 12 weeks given that a remedial EIS or Appropraite Assessment will be required to be completed as part of the application. These notices arose from significant changes to the planning acts and are an effort to retrospectively address situations where development which was likely to have a significant impact on the environment was never actually assessed at the time.  The implications for quarry owners are serious as many face closure.  The benefit for those quarry owners that manage to go through the process and come out the far side is that there will be far less operators to compete against.

Application for Multi-sport Complex in IDA Business Park, Naas

An application has been lodged to develop five astroturf pitches; two storey clubhouse; bmx track of 340 metres; single storey bmx clubhouse and 129 car parking spaces with all associated site works including flood lighting and spectator areas at the IDA Business Park
Blessington Road, Naas.

Application for New Primary School in Craddockstown, Naas

An application has been lodged with Naas Town Council for a 2 storey permanent school building comprising of 14 No. general classrooms, at Oak glade Close, Craddockstown Demesne
Naas East Co. Kildare.

Proposed Revised Junction Layout at Newhall Crossroads, Newhall, Naas

Kildare County Council intend to close the central median at the Newhall Crossroads junction on the R445 (Naas – Newbridge Road).  This junction currently facilitates access between Caragh/ Sallins to the north of the R445 and the Ladytown, Lewistown, Clownings area to the south of the R445.

The result of the proposed closure will be that traffic coming from the Sallins direction will have to drive towards Naas to the ‘bundle of sticks’ roundabout before returning to the Newhall Crossroads in order to continue their journey, an extra distance of approx 5 kilometres.  Similarly traffic coming from Ladytown will have to drive in the direction of Newbridge before turning at Toughers roundabout and returning to the Newhall Crossroads.

Plans and particulars of the proposed scheme will be available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy during normal opening hours from Tuesday 17 July 2012 until Thursday 30 August 2012 at Kildare County Council, Roads, Transportation and Public Safety Department.  Plans and particulars of the proposed scheme are also available to view on Kildare County Council’s website.

Submissions or observations may be made in writing on or before 12 noon on Friday 14 September 2012

Kildare to form part of large-scale wind farm investment

Element Power are proposing to construct 40 new wind farms in the midlands including Kildare.

The wind farms will channel energy to the UK market via dedicated sub-sea cables.

It is understood that discussion have started with landowners and over the next six months Element Power will be identifying the locations for the farms, consulting the public and proceeding to lodge a planning application.

It is expected that the wind farms will be up and running by 2017 or 2018.

An Bord Pleanala Refuse Permission for 12 houses, allotments and training school in Clane

An Bord Pleanala have refused permission for the construction of 12 number houses, 12 number allotments and construction of a one and half storey training school with double height single storey at Ballinagappa Road, Clane Townland, Clane, County Kildare.  The Board refused permission because

1. The site of the proposed development is in the Clane area, where the sewerage network is seriously deficient in capacity, and is connected to the Osberstown Waste Water Treatment Plant, which is currently operating beyond its design capacity of 80,000 P.E. and which, in turn, discharges into the River Liffey, a major source of drinking water for the Greater Dublin Area 

2. The proposed development is considered to be premature pending the determination of the final route selection and preferred option for the future link between the Ballinagappa Road and the Kilcock Road in Clane.

Further Information Sought on Naas West Housing Scheme

Naas Town Council have sough further information relating to a residential development in Naas West that has attracted a lot of opposition.  The applicant seeks permission for 43 no. dwellings and outline permission for 58 apartments.  The Council have sought further information in relation to a total of 40 individual  issues which must be a record.

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Large-scale opposition to Kildare County Council’s approval of recycling facility in Kilcullen

Kildare County Council have granted permission for a recycling facility in Knockbounce Business Park, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare despite widespread opposition from locals within the town. 

The applicants intend to build a dry-waste recovery/recycling management facility for inorganic waste material, including an ‘End of Life’ Vehicle recovery facility, vehicle compactor, non ferrous metals store and an office/admin area as well as associated facilities such as weighbridge, a supervisors hut and set down areas.

The site is close to a number of established housing estates.

There was a public meeting organised to inform locals and organise an appeal to An Bord Pleanala against the decision but at the time of writing no appeal has yet been registred with the Board.

Ancillary Retail Sales Area as part of Warehouse Unit found Not to be Exempted Development

A question has arisen as to whether the use of a portion of the overall premises for ancillary purposes, comprising multi-purpose display, reception, storage and sale activities at Unit W1E, Tougher’s Business Park, Ladytown, Naas, County Kildare is or is not development or is or is not exempted development.

The applicant stated that the principal use of this overall premises is for finishing, cutting, adapting for sale and packing of meat which is then sold, on a bulk basis, to third parties principally restaurateurs and other factories. Large scale quantities of meat are brought into this facility and the owner undertakes portion-control and an element of treatment before selling on produce to third parties. The main operational area of the premises is laid out in an open-plan manner, to which access is restricted. There is a small area, to the front and this area, is separated from the operational area, so as to facilitate its use as a public trade counter. This area is also used for displaying meat, particularly with shorter sell-by-dates due to cancellations by restaurateurs, butchers outlets and other factories. The products are stored also used for charitable organisations.

It was contended by the applicant that a change of use can occur which is not substantial or material. This was backed up by reference to case law.

However, An Bord Pleanála concluded that –

Public Meeting: Draft Kildare Town LAP

A meeting is being organised by Cllr Suzanne Doyle on Thursday 5th July at 8pm in the CYMS, Kildare Town, to discuss the draft Kildare Town LAP.  All are welcome to attend and discuss the future planning of the town.

Intel Ireland Limited Apply for Expansion

Intel Ireland Limited have applied for 10 year permission at Leixlip for buildings and ancillary works, alongside existing site infrastructure and buildings, all operating as an integrated campus, for the manufacture of integrated circuits.

 The proposed development includes:

•  manufacturing buildings with a total gross floor area of 162,536 sq.m,
• roof mounted stacks (ranging in height from 4.5m to 15m above parapet),  
• associated cooling towers (17m high);  
• a multi storey car park accommodating 2,200 cars,
• a chemical store of 1,244 sq.m
• 5 number water tanks 32m in diameter and 7m high

 This application will require notification to the EPA owing to a variation to the existing licence. An Environmental Impact Statement and a Natura Impact Statement accompany the application.

Draft Local Area Plan For Kildare Town 2012-2018

Kildare County Council has prepared a Local Area Plan for Kildare Town.

Copies of the proposed Local Area Plan and Environmental Reports may be inspected for a period of 6 weeks from 7 June 2012 to 18 July 2012 inclusive at the following locations:

Kildare County Council: 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m., Monday to Friday

Kildare Town Branch Library:  Tuesday and Wednesday 2.00pm to 5.00pm; Thursday 1.00pm to 8.00pm; Friday 9.30am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm; Saturday 9.30am to 12.30pm

Áras Bhríde:  Monday to Thursday 9am to 10pm, Friday 9am to 5.30pm

And on the Council’s website http://www.kildarecountycouncil.ie

Submissions or observations in writing to be received no later than 5pm on 18 July 2012.

Athy Southern Distributor Road Funding to be Announced

It is understood that funding for the Athy Southern Distributor Road is to be announced soon.  This road was first proposed back in the late 1970s and has been included on all plans for the town since.  However funding has never been forthcoming.  If this announcement comes to pass, as expected, it will be a significant for boost for the future development of the town.

An Bord Pleanala Grant Supermarket Development in Athy

An Bord Pleanala have granted permission for a supermarket development as part of a new neighbourhood centre on the old Esta factory grounds on the Geraldine Road.  Following on from the decision to grant permission for a supermarket development at the old Batchelor’s site this augurs well for the town getting a much needed additional supermarket facility.

Retention Permission Sought for Hedge Maze Recreation Facility in ProsperousTitle (optional)

An application has been lodged with Kildare County Council for retention of hedge maze, and adjacent crazy golf facility, along with permission for new vehicular entrance from Staplestown Road, carparking, new waste water treatment system, pets corner and associated animal paddock, childrens play area, timber panel maze, timber lookout tower and other site works on 1.685 hectare site at Ballinafagh Prosperous, Naas.

Eirgrid Plans New Power Line from Leinster to Munster

Eirgrid are proposing a high voltage corridor, most likely overhead and covering at least 250km with pylons every 4km in an effort to address deficiencies in energy supply.

The proposed lines will go through Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow.

Submission are being sought as part of a non-statutory consultation process from today and will run for an eight-week, Thursday 12th April 2012 to Friday 8th June 2012.

Further details including a map of the study area are available at

 http://www.eirgridprojects.com/projects/gridlink/

 

Census 2011: County Kildare

The population of County Kildare increased from 186,335 (2006) to 210,312 persons in 2011.  

Kildare is the 4th most populous county in the country after Dublin, Cork and Galway.

Kildare had the third highest percentage increase (12.9%) in actual change in population since the previous census (+23,977 persons).

 

Further Information Sought on Kildare Outlet Village Expansion Plans

Kildare County Council have sought extensive further information in relation to the proposed expansion of the Kildare Outlet Village.  A total of 25 items have been raised with the applicants, focusing on queries about statements in the Retail Impact Assessment (particularly trade diversion from Newbridge of 16%), the lack of commercial synergy with Kildare Town centre, landscaping, traffic and parking.  The applicants have 6 months to reply.

Amusement and gaming arcade refused permission in Athy

 

Athy Town Council have refused permission for an amusement and gaming arcade on the ground floor of the former Hiberian bank in Leinster Street, Athy. 

The planners refused permission on the basis that the development would injure the amenities and depreciate the value of properties in the area and set an undesirable precedent.