Playground in Kildare estate in 'terrible state'
The play area in Castle Farm
A councillor has said that the closed 'playground' at Castle Farm in Naas “is in a terrible state” and that he would not be comfortable bringing children there.
At the most recent meeting of Naas Municipal District, cllr Bill Clear brought forward a motion calling on the council to provide a report on the "closed playground" at Castle Farm, Naas, outlining why it has been fenced off, its current status, and what needs to happen before it can be reopened to the public.
Senior executive engineer Liam McNeela issued the council’s response, stating that the 'playground' has been completed but remains closed to allow for planting and landscaping around the site to be established.
The estate is currently going through the taking in charge process, with the public consultation period having closed on July 1. The council will inspect the development, including the playground, to ensure it complies with planning permission and will consider any submissions received.
Any outstanding work identified will be ‘directed to the developer’ before the estate is brought before councillors for a taking in charge decision.
Cllr Clear told the meeting that the amenity “is in a terrible state” and that he would not be comfortable bringing children there.
Cllr Seamie Moore supported the motion and said that the situation was an example of the council facilitating a developer to sell houses before completing all of the required works.
He said that a review is needed of the mechanism within the planning system that allows this to happen.
Mr McNeela told the meeting that the council is nearing the end of the taking in charge process.
