Amendments to proposed Monasterevin development heard at Kildare County Council meeting
The meeting took place on Wednesday, July 17 last
A Part 8 planning report from Kildare County Council (KCC) was accepted, with amendments put in place.
The report was considered by councillors representing the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) at the latest MD meeting, which was held on Wednesday, July 17 last.
According to the report, a 15 social dwelling units development have been proposed for St Evin's Park in Monasterevin.
The site will measure 0.642 hectares, and will comprise of four one-bed apartments, seven two-bed two-storey house, and four three-bed two-storey houses.
It was also heard that a noise assessment was conducted on the site, as it is located in close proximity to a railway line, and the site was designated as having a low-to-medium risk of noise.
After councillors were briefed on the development via a presentation from KCC, the floor was opened for comments and questions.
Most notably, Fine Gael Cllr Kevin Duffy, who appeared at the meeting via virtual means, expressed concern at the development, and said that many locals also were concerned about it.
Cllr Duffy, who resides in Monasterevin, told KCC that he was 'frustrated' by the Part 8 process in relation to the development.
"There is only one access point to the estate, it's very limited... It may look like a central location, but it's actually very limited," Cllr Duffy said: "The existing playing field will be lost, and the inclusion of the four apartments in the case of this development is questionable."
AMENDMENTS
He instead motioned for a set of amendments to be put in place for the proposed development: that the access road be relocated to the top of the green; that the green space be reconfigured to retain the playing field; and to convert the four-by-one bed apartments at each end of the scheme to two accessible houses.
When a KCC member said that any suggested amendments would result in the project going back to the Part 8 process, Cllr Duffy replied: "We need to get this right. What is the point in having a Part 8 if we're not giving credence to the feedback?"
"We have to be genuine," he added.
Cllr Duffy also took issue with KCC's intention to narrow the road into the development: "In my view, this would make it more unsafe.”
Fine Gael Cllr Kevin Duffy. Photo credit: Facebook.
When a member of KCC expressed concern about the project reverting to an earlier stage again, Cllr Doyle replied: "I reject that; the members have every right to make amendments."
Social Democrats Pat Balfe seconded the motion, and the amendments also found support in Fianna Fáil Cllr Rob Power.
However, Cllr Power also added that one-bed units 'are badly needed' in the county, with reference to the proposed apartments.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Doyle said that she would be open to another public consultation with locals, adding: "We have to be meaningful to the public."
The motion for the amendments to be implemented was then put to a vote, and was accepted by the members.