Housing development refusal will impact Kildare town's housing supply
Illustrative purposes only
A PROPOSED 569-home development in Great Connell, Newbridge, has been refused planning permission by An Coimisiún Pleanála, prompting concerns over the potential impact on housing delivery targets in the area.
The issue was raised by cllr Rob Power in a motion at a recent meeting of Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, seeking clarification from the council on how the decision could affect housing targets for Newbridge.
In a report prepared by the Housing Department, the council said the refusal would not change the county’s existing housing targets under the Government’s Housing for All strategy. However, it acknowledged that the loss of the proposed development would reduce the number of units available to contribute towards social housing delivery in Newbridge.
The council stated that housing delivery across Newbridge and County Kildare continues to be supported through several channels, including direct-build projects, acquisition of homes through Part V agreements, partnerships with Approved Housing Bodies, collaboration with the Land Development Agency, and private residential development facilitated through the planning system.
It also noted that sufficient zoned land remains available in Newbridge and elsewhere in the county to support future housing development. The council added that it is continuing to encourage delivery through developer engagement, land activation measures, infrastructure investment, and regeneration initiatives.
The report further stated that local authorities are awaiting additional detail on revised housing targets under the Government’s forthcoming Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025–2030 framework.
Once confirmed, Kildare County Council will be required to prepare a new Housing Delivery Action Plan reflecting updated targets and delivery requirements.
Cllr Power further said that the proposal refusal will cause a serious delay in housing provision in Newbridge.
He said: “Over the next few years we won’t see housing at that site.
“It’s still showing gaps and flaws in the system and it does show the impact when these sites don’t go ahead.”
Cllr Power pointed out that Newbridge will soon be updated to Key Town status, which he said will “have an impact on how we set targets.”
A council representative responded to cllr Power’s comments, noting that the council will work with any developments or schemes that come nationally, and will keep the MD informed to the best of their ability.
