Need for sports and leisure spaces for this Kildare region emphasised by local rep

The need for sports and leisure spaces for the town of Newbridge was emphasised by a local councillor.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Noel Heavey made his views about the need for sports and leisure spaces for the town known at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting held yesterday (April 16 last).

At the meeting, he motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) to identify and locate "land blocks suitable for Zoning Amenity / Open Space / Community for the imminent LAP (Settlement Plan) for Newbridge in compliance with National Planning Framework".

His motion found support in Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender.

Commenting further on his motion, Cllr Heavey told KCC: "If you were to bring people and their families into areas where they cannot work and play, etc, it would be unfair."

Cllr Noel Heavey, Fianna Fáil. Photograph by Martin Connelly

Speaking to his colleagues, he said: "I would ask that we councillors can come together to form a hymn sheet and get these spaces for Newbridge."

Cllr Pender also told those in attendance, adding: "There are areas that we need to be solidly looking down the line for."

He also claimed: "One of the issues with Newbridge regarding sporting areas is that there has been a piecemeal approach."

The Mayor of the MD, Fine Gael Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer, also agreed with the points raised by councillors Heavey and Pender.

She also pointed out that, for example, many members of the Indian community living in Newbridge are currently looking for a space in which they can play cricket.

However, a representative for KCC told the councillors: "We are confined by what we can do."

KCC RESPONSE

The full response to Cllr Heavey's motion from KCC reads as follows: Local Area Plans and County Development Plans (CDP) including Settlement Plans are, in all aspects, statutorily required to comply with the requirements of the National Planning Framework (NPF).

"It should be noted that the NPF does not make provision for specific standards for quantums of land to be designated / zoned for amenity / open space / community."

KCC continued: "All CDP Settlement Plans and Local Area Plans prepared by KCC's Planning Team are informed by Social
Infrastructure Audits,  which identify deficits in the provision of civic, social and recreational amenities.

"The published land use plans address the land use requirements, in the context of appropriately zoned lands, to address deficits and make provision for additional requirements as a result of planned population growth.

"The progression and delivery of these areas/facilities is outside the remit of a land use plan and will be subject to necessary funding and, where appropriate, land acquisition," KCC concluded.

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