Councillor seeks timeframe for taking in charge of housing estate in the Curragh, Co Kildare.

A Social Democrats councillor has called on Kildare County Council to provide a timeframe for the taking in charge of Orchard Park Housing Estate, the Curragh, Co Kildare.

Cllr Pat Balfe, tabling his motion at the January Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, asked for “the most up to date information in relation to a timeframe for the taking in charge of Orchard Park Housing Estate from the Department of Defence, outlining details of works that have been completed and those that remain outstanding.”

A response from Kildare County Council noted that Development Control held a meeting with the Property Management Branch (PMB) of the Department of Defence (DoD) n 2021 regarding the taking in charge of Orchard Park and two other DoD estates in Kildare Town.

The PMB were advised that they would need to furnish As Constructed Drawings (ACDs), CCTV surveys, water and public lighting audits to facilitate an initial review of the estate.

The PMB were also advised that the DoD estates would need to be brought up to a taking in charge standard.

It was acknowledged that there may be obstacles to fully taking in charge the Orchard Park, Curragh as the estate appears to be connected to the private DoD water supply, foul sewer and surface water sewer systems.

The report added: “We await the ACDs which will clarify what has been constructed. Development Control await the submission of the ACDs, CCTV surveys and audits from the DoD.

“Development Control contacted the PMB again in 2022 and again in 2023 and the PMB have advised they are progressing matters on their end. The PMB advised that they have upgraded the public lighting and road surface in the estate.

“At this point in time the onus remains with the PMB to progress the taking in charge of the estate. Development Control will reach out to the DoD to seek an update on the current position.”