Kildare County Council urged to draft long-term plan for village centres in Maynooth LAP

Kildare County Council (KCC) has been urged by two councillors to draft a long-term plan for village centres as part of the Maynooth Local Area Plan (LAP).

The appeal was made by both Green Party Cllr Peter Hamilton and Fianna Fáil Cllr Naoise Ó Cearúil at the latest Clane-Maynooth Municipal District meeting, which was held on Friday, December 1 last.

Specifically, Cllr Hamilton and Cllr Ó Cearúil put forward the following motion: "That KCC set a vision and long-term plan for village centres and 'quarters' in  the Maynooth LAP, integrating residential, commercial/retail and  community centres including the new region proposed to the west of Maynooth, in the Kilcloon area, and in existing quarters of the town; towards creating more  sustainable, circular 10-minute communities supporting high quality of life in new quarters of a high growth town."

In response to their joint-motion, KCC said: "The '10 Minute Settlement' principle which is enshrined in Objective UD O3 of the  Kildare County Development Plan 2023–2029, whereby all LAPs are required to incorporate policies that will assist in its implementation.

"The development strategy for the Joint Maynooth and Environs Local Area Plan, being  prepared by Kildare and Meath County Council, will be evidence-based, supported by a Social Infrastructure Audit, a Settlement Capacity Audit, an Area-Based  Transport Assessment and Habitat Survey, to ensure the settlement as a whole is vibrant, connected, well-functioning and supports the development of 10 minute communities whose needs are met within the neighbourhood as far as possible."

KCC added: "To ensure consistency with the planning policy hierarchy, existing and new  neighbourhoods within the plan area will be considered and brought forward under  the shared regional Key Principle of 'Healthy Placemaking' as contained in the  Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy."