Land needs to be designated for Newbridge amenities
Photo for illustrative purposes only
Kildare County Council has been urged to identify and allocate more land for community, open space, and amenity use as part of the upcoming Local Area Plan (LAP) for Newbridge.
The call came from cllr Noel Heavey, who submitted a formal motion at a recent council meeting seeking the zoning of suitable land blocks in line with the National Planning Framework (NPF).
The motion aims to ensure that as Newbridge grows, sufficient land is earmarked for public use, such as parks, recreational facilities, and community infrastructure.
In response, Amy Granville, senior planner in the planning department, clarified that all Settlement and Local Area Plans, including the one being developed for Newbridge, are legally bound to comply with the NPF.
However, she noted that the framework does not specify exact standards for the amount of land to be zoned for amenity or community use.
She also emphasised that while zoning is a critical first step, the actual delivery of new facilities depends on available funding and, where necessary, land acquisition.
In parallel with this planning effort, the council is also preparing a local sports plan for Kildare.
The five-year strategy will outline key actions to enhance sports, recreation, and physical activity across the county, particularly for underserved groups.
Paula O’Brien, senior executive officer in the community department, stated that the plan will include operational and structural recommendations, as well as service enhancements to support broader access to recreational opportunities in the county.
Cllr Heavey said: “I remember a time when there was lots of space for development. Open community space is lost. It’s like hens' teeth.” “Everyone agrees that housing is needed,” said cllr Heavey, and explained that if more houses are to be built, there needs to be more facilities to support new families moving in.
