Plans for derelict Naas site finds foe

AFTER 17 years of dereliction at the literal doorstep of the county town, plans by Applegreen to build a filling, and charging station on the former Cemex site out at Maudlin’s Roundabout have hit a stumbling block, as Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) have submitted a formal objection to the plan.

The plan was originally submitted to Kildare County Council on 25 June, and a decision is expected by 19 August.

The proposed €17m development includes a large distribution centre, service station, drive-thru cafe, and electric vehicle charging facilities over 10,000sqm.

However, the FIE argues the plan contradicts climate change and sustainable development policies, contrary to the County Development Plan.

Their main concerns are the impact on active travel, because “the proposed design prioritizes car traffic over the previously approved Naas to Kill Cycle Scheme”.

“This contradicts national and local policies that aim to encourage walking, cycling, and public transport,” said an FIE spokesperson.

A second concern would be the increased greenhouse gas emissions, because “the development is likely to increase car dependency, and hinder efforts to reduce transport emissions, a crucial aspect of Ireland's Climate Action Plan”.

FIE references specific policies and documents to support their arguments such as the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, the National Planning Framework (NPF), the Eastern and Midland Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES), and the Kildare County Development Plan (CDP) 2023-2029 The group urges Kildare County Council to reject the application if it cannot be significantly altered to prioritize active travel.

The FIE also want to emphasise some key points for local residents, that “this development could negatively impact plans for a safe cycling route between Naas and Kill, (and) it may increase traffic congestion and air pollution”

However, Bill Clear - a councillor close to the subject - doesn’t believe this will hold up the development.

Cllr Clear was quick to clarify his position, as he has been heavily engaged with this site for years, and he believes it was his application to the council to put this site on the Derelict Register that prompted the owners to do something with it.

“I do understand their concerns about the cycling, but I’ve made a submission on this planning application for pedestrian crossings at both entry and exit to give priority to pedestrians and cyclists, and I believe these issues will be ironed out by planning,” he said. “But we have to do something about this site, it’s an absolute disgrace have this on our approach road.

“The minimum needed is at least demolition, because we’ll never win the Tidy Towns with this here,” he said. 

As chair of Naas Tidy Towns, he is well aware how the Cemex site has been mentioned as a negative for Naas in every adjudicator’s report since the plant closed down in 2007. “Problems with opposition to the site will be remedied,” he predicted.