Suggested demolition of premises debated at Kildare County Council meeting

The suggested demolition of a premises located in County Kildare was debated at a recent Kildare County Council (KCC) meeting.

The matter was raised at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting, which took place on Wednesday, December 17 last and revolved around a bungalow in Newbridge which had previously proposed for a future youth centre.

Independent councillor Tom McDonnell motioned for KCC to demolish the bungalow and to also "extend the site to the green at Ryston Road and the Barracks in Newbridge".

Cllr McDonnell's motion was seconded by the Mayor of the MD, Fianna Fáil Noel Heavey, who added: "I will second the motion in the interest of democracy, but I don't agree with it."

LENGTHY REPORT

KCC issued a lengthy response to Cllr McDonnell's motion via the report it presented at the meeting.

The report read as follows: "KCC expended public funds to acquire the site of the future Newbridge Youth Centre, which is at the site of the bungalow formerly known locally as O'Connor’s Headstones.

"KCC has allocated development contributions funding to this project, in the Capital Programme 2026 to 28 which members noted at the November 2025’s Budget Meeting very recently."

KCC further said that following the recent appointment of a project manager within the Strategic Projects Team, KCC's Community Department are "collaborating with that team on a design for the facility, with the intention of bringing proposals to the members, for in-committee briefings, during Quarter 1 of 2026".

"Once clarified, these will be costed, but it is not anticipated there will be funds to extend the site," KCC added.

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'FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES'

In addition, KCC informed the councillors present at the meeting that it also exploring supplementary funding opportunities to maximise potential on the existing site.

KCC further said: "In any event, demolition of acquired properties and also the reduction of open space areas runs counter to best practice in terms of sustainability and climate action and is not recommended.

"An energy audit has been commissioned to identify best practice in terms of energy use, and to minimise future operation and maintenance costs; this can potentially position the project to leverage other funding sources."

KCC concluded by saying that it is proposed "to proceed with the project planned for and resourced", and not to "pursue alternative expansions that are currently unfunded".

'IT'S NOT A SUITABLE SITE'

Sticking to his suggestion, Cllr McDonnell told KCC that he has experience working in the construction sector.

He described the building as being "very old" and added that it has no insulation features within it.

"It's not a suitable site [at present]," Cllr McDonnell emphasised to KCC.

Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender then spoke, and made reference to KCC's report.

He said: "I think what the report is trying to say is that they [KCC] are trying to maximise the potential of the site."

Cllr Pender echoed KCC's sentiments by explaining that he disagreed with the idea of demolishing the bungalow.

"I understand wanting to make the space bigger, but this would delay the [proposed youth centre] project," he added. "I would be more in favour of delivering it in consultation with [local] young people."

Cllr Pender further said: "Also, once the site is up and running, this opens it up to [the possibility of obtaining] more funding."

Fine Gael Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer also gave her views on the matter, telling KCC: "I don't really don't have an opinion of knocking the site down or leaving it as is, but to be fair to Tom, he probably does have a valid question here."

She added: "To me, the question is, are we getting value for money?"

Cllr McDonnell then spoke once more to say that he agreed with Cllr O'Dwyer's comments.

Following this, one of KCC's officials who was also present at the meeting spoke to the councillors.

KCC's manager for finance, digital services, innovation and governance, Eileen Hanlon, emphasised the section of KCC's report which noted "the intention of bringing proposals to the members, for in-committee briefings, during Q1 of 2026".

She then addressed the councillors by issuing the following request: "I would just ask [all of the councillors] to give the team time for the design phase."

Independent Cllr Tom McDonnell. Photograph credit: kildarecoco.ie

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Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.