BREAKING: Massive housing plan could create a 'town within a town' in Kildare
There are fears that the medical, education and transport services won't cope
Tentative proposals for large-scale residential development could create the equivalent of a new town on the outskirts of Naas.
Councillors have been briefed on embryonic plans to develop up to 3,400 units - apartments and houses - within the so-called North-West Quadrant (NWQ).
The NWQ refers to a massive 270 acres landbank, which lies between the Grand Canal Harbour in the town and the M7 motorway.
The housing units are being proposed for an area roughly between Finlay Park and Tandy Bridge, out towards Millennium Park.
Kildare County Council is under pressure from Minister for Housing James Browne to identify serviced sites which might be suitable for housing.
This comes as several councillors have complained that there are inadequate school places and medical services, for example to cater for the existing population. Councillors have also pointed to increasing levels of traffic congestion in towns across the county and an inadequate public transport system.
The development, if it materialises, could be some way off. The first step will be to apply the appropriate zoning to the area and the land will then have to be acquired.