Debate over new plaza proposed for this Kildare town

A councillor recently motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) to commit to the delivery of the proposed plaza which would be located at the corner of Newbridge County Library and Archives.

The motion was submitted by Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting, which took place on Wednesday, June 18 last.

Cllr Pender's motion read as follows: "That the council commits to the delivery of the proposed plaza at the corner of Newbridge County Library and Archives as a key element of the planned upgrade to the library."

He also motioned for KCC to " provide an update on the current status of the design, including any changes — formal or informal — that have been discussed; to confirm the anticipated timeline for the delivery of both the plaza and the wider library upgrade; and to outline how community engagement will be incorporated to ensure the final design reflects the needs of local residents, businesses, and library users."

His motion was seconded by his party colleague, Cllr Pat Balfe.

Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender. File photograph

The Mayor of the MD, Fine Gael Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer, also said that she supported Cllr Pender's motion.

KCC issued a lengthy report in response to Cllr Pender's motion, and divided it into three separate replies, in order to coincide with his three requests.

KCC also prefaced these reply segments with the following specification: "The Strategic Projects and Public Realm team are managing the delivery of the Newbridge Library, Local Studies and Archive Building project."

FIRST RESPONSE

The first part read: "Review of general drawings is ongoing with the final design of the energy performance of the building under review to potentially reduce operating costs while contributing to our Climate Action targets.

"Suitability Assessment Questionnaires have been published on e-tenders, this procedure involves inviting applicants to submit information in response to a customised standard questionnaire.

"It has been agreed that the Project will be delivered in two Phases: Phase 1 being the Library, Local Studies and Archive Building and Phase 2 being the extended plaza area and proposed transport interventions.

"A report outlining the rational for delivery of the project in two phases, has circulated to the elected members for information."

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SECOND RESPONSE

The second part read: "Delivering the project in two phases will see the Library, Local Studies and Archive Building project delivered in Phase 1 with associated public realm space.

"It is expected that construction will commence in 2026; a more defined timeline will emerge once detailed design is finalised.

"The extended public realm space / plaza and transport measures will be delivered in Phase 2, as part of a future National Transport Authority / Transport scheme for the Main Street."

THIRD RESPONSE

For the final part, KCC said: "The elected members will have had sight of the Chief Executive Report prior to consideration of the Part 8 proposal in 2024.

"Submissions from key stakeholders, businesses, residents etc. are set out in Appendix B of the Chief Executive Report with appropriate responses from the Project Team.

"Commitments to include / exclude elements at the Detailed Design Stage of the Project are documented in the Chief Executive Response / Comments.

"Conditions are attached to the Part 8 Planning Report, signed off by the Planning Department and the Chief Executive."

Pam Pender, senior executive officer for KCC's Strategic Projects and Public Realm team, also told Cllr Pender that KCC "could not give an exact [time] commitment" for the delivery of the plaza.

Speaking about the report, Cllr Pender said that he was "disappointed" that the delivery of the plaza had been divided into two phases, but added that he understood the reasoning behind KCC's decision to do so.

He also told Ms Pender: "I just don't want to see another project where only Phase 1 is delivered... I want to see projects delivered for Newbridge."

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