Kildare residents should be consulted about rebuilding houses because of subsidence

Kildare County Council has been asked to consult with a group of Naas residents over a rebuilding project - after houses were removed because of subsidence.

Independent Ireland councillor Ger Dunne has asked KCC to liaise “with representatives of the residents of Sarto Road.”

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Cllr Dunne said this should relate to “the proposed rebuilding of the houses that were previously removed from the area due to subsidence.”

He said KCC had given a commitment to include residents in any new proposals.

Cllr Ger Dunne

The councillor told a Naas Municipal District meeting that documents relating to this undertaking go back to 2000 and he asked for KCC to meet with the residents, as previously undertaken.

He said the residents are not trying to stop any development “they just want to know what is happening.”

According to KCC, a proposal for social housing for the site is at the early stages of development and it's intended to start the public consultation process by the end of 2025, which will begin with notices published in a local newspaper and posted at the site location. The proposed designs will be available online and at Aras Chill Dara. The public can submit their observations via post or online.

Cllr Bill Clear recalled that houses subsided and had to be demolished and some survey indicated there were “spaces underneath.”

He said he would be concerned about building where housing had "previously essentially collapsed. ”It could be a mistake, he suggested,

Cllr Seamie Moore recalled a community building was proposed for the area and this could be sited in the old library premises. 

KCC official Eoghan Ryan said subsidence is not a serious issue today because of technological advancements but the likely costs would have to be considered and “I’m sure that will be explored."

Naas mayor Fintan Brett said the technology and knowledge is readily available today to ensure that a solid foundation can be constructed, possibly through a piledriving project.