Developer seeks to assure Athy residents concerned over green area

RESIDENTS in an Athy estate concerned about losing a green area their children have enjoyed for nearly 20 years after a developer notified it would be using it to store topsoil, should rest easier following his assurance to “leave it better” within a year, and maybe as soon as in eight months.

A number of long-term residents of Coney Meadows contacted the Kildare Nationalist this week after getting a letter from BHA Construction Ltd last week informing them of the use of their green area for the development of the adjoining Coney Willows.

In the letter BHA’s project manager Philip Conway writes: “to support the construction of these (88) new homes we will be temporarily re-purposing the area marked ‘Green Area 2’ for topsoil storage. In its place ‘Green Area 1’ – which is of similar size and nature, and has playground facilities – will be made available for residents’ use during this period. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call me”.

This correspondence thus prompted the concern of locals.

Up in Arms

“I am a resident of Coney Meadows for 19 years, and since we moved into the house that green area has been maintained by the residents and residents’ association,” said our first contact.

“Just last week each house received the attached letter and map, outlining the builders plans, and the residents are up in arms about this, as we were not even aware that this green area was within the builders boundaries.

“Earlier this year they were asked to contribute to the grass cutting fund and they refused, and they did not outline that any of the green area at that stage was within their boundary.

“This area is used every day by the residents and children for recreation activities,” she said.

“This green has been maintained by residents for 18 years, where children can play in view of their parents,” said another.

Behind the concerns and protests is the ongoing construction – and final phase – of the Coneyboro estates, and permission to build the last 88 houses on a 3.62Ha (9ac) was granted in July 2021.

Council concerns

At the time four council sections – housing, parks, roads, and water services – requested additional information from the developer, and the firm behind the build had to re-submit its plans with all these concerns addressed – which they did.

Foremost amongst these was the belief from parks that “the landscape plan doesn’t contain sufficient details to prevent vehicles traversing open spaces at Coney Meadows to minimise future maintenance costs for Kildare County Council (KCC)”.

This prompted the developers to engage Landmark Designs Ltd who assured the planners that “all plants that die or are damaged in this development will be replaced for five years, or until the estate is taken in charge by KCC”.

This week Mr Conway from BHA doubled down on this promise in conversation with the Kildare Nationalist.

“We’re being very transparent, and we left it alone for as long as possible until we had to,” he began.

“It’ll be eight or nine months, maybe a year if you get a lot of rain, or a bad winter.

“I’ve spoken with our machine driver, and he will go and rake it back when required so it doesn’t get dragged all over the place.

“”It won’t be an eyesore for long, but we will do our best.”

Assurance

The Kildare Nationalist asked could he assure residents that you will return the green to how it was?

“I can,” said Mr Conway, “I will leave it better.”

He added: “There will be new plants and landscaping, and it will be nicer.

“We’re doing nothing illegal, but I understand, they’ve had a green area for years, but it was never theirs.”

“We will stay in ownership of the development until its taken in charge by the Council when the estate is finished,” he concluded.

Kildare County Council comment on the issue was as follows.

“Should residents have concerns that the developer may not be adhering to the conditions set out in the planning permission 20/1274 they are encouraged to contact the planning control section in Kildare County Council.

“Guidance on how to submit a formal complaint is available on Kildare County Council’s website at ‘Planning Enforcement and Exempt Development’.”