BREAKING: Historic Kildare building could be converted into apartments

A historic Naas property could be converted into apartments near the centre of the town..

The Market House, located at the Grand Canal harbour has been derelict for many years.

Now local councillor Seamie Moore wants Kildare County Council to avail of funding made available for the compulsory purchase of vacant derelict buildings in places classified as “regeneration areas” - to create new accommodation.

He was supported by a majority of the councillors on the Naas Municipal District.

 He said if converted into apartments the site would provide housing for some of those seeking to be accommodated in Naas.

“We have been complaining about this (site) and nothing has happened for 20 years,” he said, adding that while various plans  were put forward including to provide a hotel and apartments, nothing has happened.

He said the money is available to buy it to provide accommodation and this should be done given the availability of funds.

Cllr Evie Sammon said that the property should not just be necessarily for housing.

Cllr Anne Breen said the council had done nothing for years as the property, a protected structure, was neglected.

According to Kildare County Council official Veronica Cooke, money is available to enable residential and mixed-used development to be delivered within some existing towns.

Ms Cooke said  Naas is one of five towns in Kildare that meet the required criteria for this

funding. She also said the next development will be to identify suitable sites  and  buildings across the five towns “with a focus on reducing vacancy and dereliction in the five town centres.”

She said this could be considered alongside the preparation of a plan for the redevelopment of part of the town.

Ms Cooke said the building could be attractive and KCC will work with all interested parties on any redevelopment plan.

Cllr Bill Clear said the building is in a key location and is for sale “at a very high price.”

He said it should be bought by KCC and it could be put to various uses.

He said that Naas Tidy Towns has maintained the property by painting it and some people think NTT owns it.

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