Kildare County Council announces exciting launch of public consultation on Naas Canal Quarter Masterplan

Kildare County Council is excited to announce the launch of a public consultation on the Naas Canal Quarter Masterplan.

This consultation is a critical step in shaping the future of the area.

Building on public engagement conducted in August 2024, Kildare County Council is now seeking further input from the community to refine the masterplan. The goal is to transform the underused Canal Quarter into a vibrant, lively, and mixed-use place that makes provision for the entire community, including young people and children.

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The public is also invited to share their feedback, or find out more in person, at a drop-in event at Naas Library, W91 E1RT, on Wednesday February 26, between 2pm and 8pm.

"This is an exciting time for Naas," said Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council. "With masterplans for the Naas North-West Quadrant, the Town Centre, and now the Canal Quarter, we have a unique opportunity to create vibrant, inclusive spaces that reflect the aspirations of our community. We want to hear your ideas to help refine and shape the vision for the Canal Quarter."

The Naas Canal Quarter is envisioned as a vibrant hub, combining community, heritage, and tourism.

With the Canal Harbour at its core, the project seeks to create a lively destination where residents and visitors can gather, enjoy activities and experience the charm of canal life, including the return of canal boats.

Key development opportunities:

1. The Harbour Area – Envisioned as a leisure and civic hub, featuring new buildings with ground-floor hospitality and local services, residential spaces above and areas for community gatherings.

2. Ecological Park – A preserved green space on the island site, offering natural habitats, a children’s play area, and a proposed pedestrian and cycle bridge connecting it to the harbour.

3. Abbey Street – A reimagined creative and cultural hub, enhancing existing cultural activities and redeveloping key sites to transform it into a vibrant, dynamic destination. 

4. The proposals include a mix of short-term, low-cost initiatives, such as temporary uses for vacant sites and smaller scale public realm enhancements, as well as long-term projects like redeveloping sites and infrastructure improvements. These efforts aim to revitalise the area while maintaining its unique character and heritage.

How to get involved: Visit https://naas.consultation.ai/ to share your views online or attend the drop-in event at Naas Library. Feedback will be reviewed by Kildare County Council to refine the masterplan.

The consultation closes at 5pm on Friday 7 March 2025.

For more information, please contact www.forwardplanning@kildarecoco.ie