Signage issues highlighted at Kildare County Council meeting

The importance of enforcing signage policy within the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) was discussed at the latest MD meeting on Wednesday, June 21.

One motion put forward by Social Democrats councillor Chris Pender read as follows: "That the council implement and enforce Kildare County Council’s Signage policy throughout the town of Newbridge.”

Cllr Pender added: "During Covid (referring to the pandemic) we let a lot of things slide.

"I will deal with the issue on the ground, but I do think we (as an MD) need to be more proactive about it."

Fine Gael Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer expressed support for Cllr Pender's motion, and added: "Now that we have the likes of, for example, Google Maps, there probably isn't a huge need to have as many signs anymore."

Councillor Peggy O'Dwyer (Fine Gael) was among the local representatives who commented on the issue.

In response to Cllr Pender's motion, a representative of Kildare County Council (KCC) said: "An audit of all signage in the town would be required to identify any unauthorised signage.

"It should be noted that certain exemptions are permitted for signage as per the Exempted Development Schedule of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended), specifically Class 16 and 16A."

However, the representative added that KCC's Community Wardens will enforce signage policy as appropriate.

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Allegation

CLARITY SOUGHT

Shortly after the motion, Sinn Féin Cllr Noel Connolly asked KCC to clarify the need for community groups in this MD advertising short term events, to seek permission to erect signage.

Cllr Connolly was told the following by KCC in response: "The specifications set out in the Exempted Development Schedule of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended), specifically Class 16 and 16A, regarding signage is as follows: CLASS 16 Advertisements other than advertisements specified in class 17 of this Part of this Schedule, announcing any local event of a religious, cultural, educational, political, social, recreational or sporting character, and advertisements relating to any temporary matter in connection with any local event of such a character, not in either case being an event promoted or carried on for commercial purposes.

"CLASS 16A advertisements other than advertisements specified in Class 16 of this Part of this Schedule, announcing any local event promoted or carried on for commercial purposes."

An explanation of the limitations for both CLASS 16 and CLASS 16A was also provided to Cllr Connolly.