Derelict Naas site to get major development 

Naas is set to welcome the construction of a series of facilities at the former Cemex site at the Maudlins roundabout on the Dublin road in Naas. The site, which has been derelict nearly two decades, will finally be put to good use with the introduction of a multi-purpose site.

The former building is to be demolished and the site will be repurposed to include an electric vehicle charging hub for 36 cars, along with eight bus/HGV charging spaces, a distribution centre, an Applegreen service station with a retail area comprising three food offerings, a seating area and drive-thru, a separate drive-thru café, a substation, an external generator, a service compound, water pump house, and a refuse compound.

Also planned for the site is two outdoor exercise areas, outdoor eating/picnic areas and play areas, complete with car parking spaces.

The construction will include a modified vehicular entrance off Maudlins roundabout and a replacement entrance off Johnstown Road with new slip lane for better entrance and exit to the compound.

In a planning submission made by cllr Bill Clear in July of last year, he said: ‘I welcome this development as this site has remained derelict for 14 years. I submitted derelict documentation on this site and am very happy to see this happening.’

The proposed plan, which was first put out last June, was met with formal objection by Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE), which has since been resolved. The Cemex building and the brownfields site next to it, comprising an area of just over 18 acres, have been taken in ownership by Kildare County Council, where planning permission has been granted for a massive improvement to the Maudlins townland of Naas.

This massive development will add much-needed services to the town and outskirts of Naas, servicing nearby areas like Johnstown and Kill.