Bid to retain minimum standard of private open spaces for new Kildare housing defeated
Aras Cill Dara
AN amendment to a variation to the County Development Plan which sought the retention of the minimum private open spaces standard in housing accommodation was rejected at a recent meeting.
The amendment was proposed by cllr Peter Melrose, at a recent special meeting of Kildare County Council to discuss the proposed variation of the Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029
Cllr Melrose’s fellow Clane-Maynooth Municipal District Social Democrats colleague Paula Mulroe spoke on his behalf at the meeting, as he was unable to attend.
The overarching aim of the variation is to increase the county’s housing growth requirement for the remaining three years of the county development plan, 'to align with the NPF (National Planning Framework) Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2025).'
Cllr Melrose said that the amendment was about future-proofing open spaces. Cllrs Chris Pender and Aoife Breslin voiced their support for the motion, with the former mentioning the impact of a lack of private open spaces on mental health and the latter noting the negative impact that a lack of such spaces has on community building.
Cllr Suzanne Doyle was vocal in opposition to the amendment, saying that “it’s not always appropriate” to give such open spaces in housing developments.
An executive from Kildare County Council (KCC) planning team said that by law, they are required to comply with government policy.
Cllr Melrose said that she and her Social Democrats colleague were not looking for huge open spaces and would not accept the response from the council.
The matter went to a vote, with 12 councillors in favour, 21 against, and 1 abstention. This meant that cllr Melrose’s proposal for the amendment was defeated.
