Call for ‘mixed-use redevelopment’ of machinery yard in Kildare
The request was heard at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting
Three different county councillors have called for the 'mixed-use redevelopment' of a machinery yard located in County Kildare.
A joint motion was submitted by the councillors at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) meeting, which took place on Wednesday, May 21 last.
The motion referred to Newbridge Machinery Yard, which last month made headlines when the Land Development Agency (LDA) announced its intention to develop the site solely for housing.
Fine Gael Cllrs Tracey O'Dwyer and Peggy O'Dwyer (the latter of whom is also the Mayor of the MD) and Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender called on Kildare County Council (KCC) to "outline to the LDA the strategic importance and central location of the machinery yard site in Newbridge, as outlined in submissions to the LAP and recognises its potential to significantly benefit the community and local economy."
Their motion also noted: "Given the current relocation of depot operations, the council resolves to support councillors plans to designate and reserve this site explicitly for mixed-use redevelopment, with a primary focus on community-focused amenities, such as a public indoor swimming pool, multi-purpose community hub, or recreational facility and incorporating appropriate residential development."
In response to the motion, KCC had this to say: "While the council notes that the Land Development Agency has identified the
Machinery Yard site in Newbridge on their Register of Relevant Lands, the site remains under the control of the council.
"It is only where the council or a relevant public body decides to dispose of relevant public land that the body has to give notice under Section 53 of the Land Development Act and offer the land for sale to the Agency within the period of 12 months immediately prior to the disposal.
"The site is still in operation and is by no means a vacant site."
KCC added: "Forward Planning team will consider all options for these lands during the preparation of the Settlement Plan for Newbridge and any draft plans or amendments."
RELATED QUESTION
The machinery yard was also brought up in a question submitted by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer.
She asked KCC: "Can the council confirm (exact date) when the LDA first contacted KCC about their interest in the machinery yard site in Newbridge and what department was contacted?"
Replying to her query, KCC told her via a report it presented at the meeting: "The LDA GIS page shown here includes Newbridge Machinery yard site on the Register of Relevant Lands.
"It is evident from the mapped sites that the LDA have done a detailed and comprehensive trawl of all (or virtually all) known public sites, which includes other state-owned land (for example, the Intreo Centre / Department of Social Protection / Office of Public Works, Bord Na Mona site, An Post and public open spaces).
"The council is not aware of the LDA’s criteria for the inclusion of sites."