Plan provides for more housing and infrastructure in Newbridge
Newbridge
NEWBRIDGE is set to experience a significant increase in housing development after the Newbridge Settlement Plan - which includes the provision of more than 1,000 new homes for approximately 3,000 residents - was recently adopted by Kildare County Council (KCC).
The new settlement plan also includes the provision for a second bridge over the Liffey Bridge and the long-awaited Newbridge Southern Ring Road.
The road has been awaited for 30 years and construction is anticipated to begin late this year or in early 2027, pending approval from the Department of Transport.
The full council gathered at a special meeting of the council recently on 23 February to formally adopt Proposed Variation No. 2 (Newbridge Settlement Plan) of the County Development Plan 2023-2029 (as varied).
The ambitious plan replaces the Newbridge Local Area Plan 2013-2019 and according to Fianna Fáil councillor for the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) Rob Power “it sets out a comprehensive policy framework to guide the sustainable development of housing, employment, transportation, retail and social infrastructure across the town”.
The plan also includes two new schools after zoning was secured for them – a 1,000 pupil secondary school and a primary school with 23 classes.
The plan will aim to improve public transport with a new bus service in the town and improved cycling and walking infrastructure included, as well as a network of safe cycling routes, active travel bridges and greenways, including connections to the Curragh.
According to cllr Power, the plan “supports mixed-use regeneration and new public spaces to revitalise the heart of the town.”
Eyre Street is set for “major redevelopment” as part of the plan, with the “Safer Newbridge Project” aimed at addressing anti-social behaviour on the street.
The plan includes the provision of improved GP and healthcare facilities, youth services and expanded community spaces.
There are proposal for a multi-purpose sports hub, and it is intended to deliver a swimming pool for the town.
Cllr Power also stated with regards to the town’s natural and cultural heritage: “the plan protects the River Liffey, the Curragh Plains and Pollardstown Fen, while also harnessing Newbridge's rich military and civic heritage.”
Speaking at the meeting, cllr Power noted that a “substantial amount of housing” has been zoned and that “to a certain extent” there was now a reliance on the private sector to deliver.
Fellow Kildare-Newbridge MD councillor Chris Pender thanked the planning team as well as his colleagues, saying that the plan “has been over a decade coming”.
Director of services for planning, economic development, enterprise and tourism Alan Dunney praised the efforts of the planning team, saying that they “work phenomenally hard”.
