We welcome the opportunity to contribute to the Pre-draft Public Consultation Issues Paper on the Newbridge Local Area Plan 2025 – 2031.
It is envisaged that the Local Area Plan will address future planning development in a sustainable and spatial fashion. It is intended that the Plan will be grounded on six key areas though not confined to social infrastructure, housing and community, town centre, open spaces and amenity, climate action and movement and economic development.
Education Objectives
- That we would like to see included in the LAP to provide adequate primary and secondary level schools to address the educational needs of all students in the Newbridge area.
- That a site-specific location for a secondary school be identified at the site at Walshestown off the Athgarvan road where there is currently designation for a play school.
- That it becomes an objective of this plan that all future school and pre-schools be co-located to reduce traffic movement, encourage permeability and allow for the sharing of facilities.
Open Space and Amenity - Objectives
- A well serviced multi use community and recreational facility designed for high activity use, catering for a range of sporting codes and located so that it facilitates ease of access and good connectivity via trnsport infrastructure. Ideally the site should be located close to schools with a shared use approach.
The vision for this multi-use community facility would be an open span of approximately 20 acres to include walking and cycling trails, children’s playground, two shared full-size sports pitches, smaller Astro pitches, cricket pitch, basketball courts, tennis courts, bowls
and biodiversity area. Fishing and water sports (canoeing etc) facilities would also be co-located if possible. -
- That the old machinery yard on the Military Road be considered for a public town centre swimming pool.
- That land be identified for the provision of community sports hub in the vicinity along the Morristown Road/Milltown Road to provide additional recreational opportunities for existing sports clubs.
- That part of the land behind Scoil na Naomh Uilig be de-zoned and zoned as open space and amenity.
- To identify site specific locations for meeting rooms/hall as part of the 10-minute settlement centre objective to facilitate residential associations meetings, group meetings and group activities.
- That the land that was previously the site of the old swimming pool at the Ryston be de-zoned and
rezoned F, Open Space and Amenities
- That the plan identifies a site-specific objective for a playground at Lakeside Park and other locations.
-That small pockets of land throughout the town be zoned open space to provide the town with green areas for people to walk, meet and soften the hard landscaping within town centre
- That active recreational facilities be explored along the Linear Park as currently the river is underutilised to facilitate canoe club, fishing club and much more.
- That the Master Plan for Lakeside Park be completed to enable community consultation as soon as possible.
- That a feasability study be carried out with a view to linking Newbridge to Pollardstown Fen Miltown Canal Feeder to Miltown to Lowtown Robertstown to Digby Bridge to Soldiers Island to Naas Harbour to Corbally and back to Newbridge creating a 50km amenity canal loop centred on Newbridge.
Movement and Transport - Objectives
To make the town more accessible for those who need to use the services available in the town centre, the key aim of the plan should be to consolidate and strengthen the town centre:
- Identify at least two locations for a pedestrian/cyclist bridge across the River Liffey within the Local Area Plan Boundary.
- The completion of the Southern Relief Road (and 2nd Bridge) to extend to link up with the M7 Motorway. In order to create ease of access and egress to Newbridge the Plan should seek to examine an additional interchange / slipway via the Athgarvan Road to link up with the M7 Motorway.
- To install a slip road off the M7 motorway for ease of access to Newbridge as a key retail
destination
- To identify, extend and link the current cycle lanes to provide safe and secure segregated cycle options.
- To investigate the possibility of facilitating two-way traffic along the southern section of Cutlery Road between Military Road and the entrance to the Tarmel Centre.
- Re-design Military Road to create a green boulevard street as opposed to a link road around the town centre.
- That corner developments at key junctions along with infill sites and vacant plots are examined and identified to encourage new edge to permieter blocks
Climate Action, Movement and Environment - Objectives
- Increase the step back from the River Liffey to 150m in order to ensure a green corridor is maintained along the Linear Park and to provide protection to the pockets of semi-natural grass land and wetland that run along the margins of the Linear Park.
- Riverian margins need to be preserved.
- That the River Liffey be assigned as a nature conservation area as it is the main core area of ecological importance within Newbridge.
- Ensure biodiversity, conservation and or enhancement measures, as appropriate, are included in all proposals for new developments.
- Protect the sites of Pollardstown Fen, Mouds Bog and the Curragh Plains.
- That the Council explore linking Newbridge to Pollardstown Fen, Milltown Canal Feeder to Milltown to Lowtown, Robertstown, Digby Bridge, Soldiers Island, Naas Harbour to Corbally and back to Newbridge as an amenity canal loop.
- The development of a more sustainable energy sector incorporating power generation and energy efficiency in all sectors.
- Every effort must be made to linking habitats with open spaces.
Economic Development / Industry & Commercial - Objectives
-
- That it become an objective of this plan that all future industrial applications be located on the periphery of the town to reduce large traffic movements through town centre.
- To bring a focus to achieve greater linkage and commercial synergy
- Ensure the provision of sufficient and suitable land is zoned for employment and innovative entrepreneurial initiatives.
- The plan should identify vacant commercial units and encourage their transition to potential economic / community infrastructure / residential units.
Heritage / Architectural and Archaeological - Objectives
- Protect all vernacular structures of historical, architectural, cultural and aesthetic merit which demonstrate the history of Newbridge and contribute to the character of the town.
- Protect and preserve the remaining sections of the original barrack walls and cavalry barracks to include but not restricted to the Archway and all associated stonework on the Athgarvan Road and
the internal structures pertaining to the original Cavalry Barracks within the Bord na Mona and Conleths GAA Grounds.
- While all historical sites should be protected the Reading and Recreational Barrackes in the Bord na Mona buildings should be included in the Record of Protected Structures (RPS).
- Identify a site-specific building (Heritage Hub) as a way or promoting the heritage and the unique cultural and historical aspects of Newbridge. The O’ Modhrain Memorial Hall on Cutlery Road, could be considered for this use.
- Heritage trail/ walk around Newbridge should be develop highlighting locations such as Town Hall, Cavalry Barracks, Bord na Mona, Watering Gates and other locations.
Town Centre / Landscape - Objectives
Public Realm: Newbridge needs a town centre that invites gatherings, provides a central space and proper street furniture that encourages residents to meet and enhance their quality of life. In this regard the LAP should as a priority continue the regeneration of the Town Hall area as a civic focal point linking to Georges St in the form of a designed plaza and pedestrian priority zone.
- Support the regeneration of the Town Hall as a civic centre of importance linking main street to Georges Street.
- Redesign Market square as an urban green space framed by a new civic building to enclose the streetscape and square.
- Improve the appearance of signage, lighting, environmental and landscaping of the town centre and surrounding streets.
- One of the primary or long-term objectives of the LAP should that all overhead cables in the Town Centre be run underground
- Currently the main streetscape is quite hard and that it become an objective of this plan that as and when path upgrades or services works are being considered for Main Street that softer landscaping form part of any upgrades such as the planting of appropriate trees and that there is a move away from planter boxes.
- Develop a framework for balanced, orderly town centre growth
- Improve the town's attraction as a retail and tourist destination through the provision of softer
public realm.
- Situated on Cutlery Road the Water Tower should be retained as a feature and landmark of the area. Inventive architectural and landscaping work would enrich and improve the visual look of this structure.
Housing / Residential and Community -Objectives
- Identify sites for supportive living where there are underutilised back land sites capable of redevelopment particularly to the North and South of Military Road.
- Based on the principle of compact growth from the town centre out in a radial direction, that lands around the train station be considered for residential and pockets of land in town centre be considered for town centre residential use.
- Provide adequate accommodation for travellers in accordance with the Kildare County Council's Travellers Accommodation Programme.
- Identify a site to provide for an additional cemetery for Newbridge
- Support the development of a Youth Hub in Newbridge
- Support and ensure that all arts and cultural facilities in the ownership and management of the Council, are made available to the wider community to promote the role of these facilities as focal points for the community.
- To support all schools in their development of a Green School Programme.
- To support and develop the Riverbank Arts Theatre as a destination Theatre to attract visitors to stay in Newbridge.
objective to facilitate residential associations meetings, group meetings and group activities.
- Develop supported housing development similar to Ryans Field / McCauley Place. Extending the current should be examined.
- This plan should support the need for housing including social and affordable housing requirements. In this regard cognisance should be given to the nature of the existing housing stock, the desirability of providing for mixed communities, the provision of a range of housing types and tenures, the need to provide a choice of housing, suitable for all age groups and persons at different stages of the life cycle and the need to cater for disability groups including the possibility of a Retirement Village.
- Identify a site for a Family Resource Centre Hub on the Northern side of the town.
That a site specific location be identified in the lifetime of the plan for the provision of a designated facility for Oglaigh na hEireann.
Transport – Objectives
- That a site-specific location be identified at the Train Station for the provision of a main bus depot.
- That a site-specific location for a smaller bus depot be identified on Military road at the back of the industrial park which currently appears to have considerable derelict sites. Thereby, removing buses from the mail street.
- That all bus shelters are fully universally accessible.
Health - Objectives
- To identify site specific locations for primary care centres as part of the 10-minute settlement centre objective.
- That it is an objective of this plan to facilitate the development of health centres, local clinics, nursing homes and residential home care units in close proximity to town centre.
- Identify site for a new Day Care Centre to meet the needs of the growing population.
Community
That it be an objective in the lifeterm of the plan to promote and deliver Community Gardens using a universal design sustainable and accessible to all.
Economic
That a site be identified for a town centre Hotel given the demand for bed nights places in County Kildare.
Transport
That an orbital bus route corridor be identified around the town of Newbridge.
That a Area Action Plan be considered for Eyre Street
Tuairimí
We welcome the opportunity to contribute to the Pre-draft Public Consultation Issues Paper on the Newbridge Local Area Plan 2025 – 2031.
It is envisaged that the Local Area Plan will address future planning development in a sustainable and spatial fashion. It is intended that the Plan will be grounded on six key areas though not confined to social infrastructure, housing and community, town centre, open spaces and amenity, climate action and movement and economic development.
Education Objectives
- That we would like to see included in the LAP to provide adequate primary and secondary level schools to address the educational needs of all students in the Newbridge area.
- That a site-specific location for a secondary school be identified at the site at Walshestown off the Athgarvan road where there is currently designation for a play school.
- That it becomes an objective of this plan that all future school and pre-schools be co-located to reduce traffic movement, encourage permeability and allow for the sharing of facilities.
Open Space and Amenity - Objectives
- A well serviced multi use community and recreational facility designed for high activity use, catering for a range of sporting codes and located so that it facilitates ease of access and good connectivity via trnsport infrastructure. Ideally the site should be located close to schools with a shared use approach.
The vision for this multi-use community facility would be an open span of approximately 20 acres to include walking and cycling trails, children’s playground, two shared full-size sports pitches, smaller Astro pitches, cricket pitch, basketball courts, tennis courts, bowls
and biodiversity area. Fishing and water sports (canoeing etc) facilities would also be co-located if possible. -
- That the old machinery yard on the Military Road be considered for a public town centre swimming pool.
- That land be identified for the provision of community sports hub in the vicinity along the Morristown Road/Milltown Road to provide additional recreational opportunities for existing sports clubs.
- That part of the land behind Scoil na Naomh Uilig be de-zoned and zoned as open space and amenity.
- To identify site specific locations for meeting rooms/hall as part of the 10-minute settlement centre objective to facilitate residential associations meetings, group meetings and group activities.
- That the land that was previously the site of the old swimming pool at the Ryston be de-zoned and
rezoned F, Open Space and Amenities
- That the plan identifies a site-specific objective for a playground at Lakeside Park and other locations.
-That small pockets of land throughout the town be zoned open space to provide the town with green areas for people to walk, meet and soften the hard landscaping within town centre
- That active recreational facilities be explored along the Linear Park as currently the river is underutilised to facilitate canoe club, fishing club and much more.
- That the Master Plan for Lakeside Park be completed to enable community consultation as soon as possible.
- That a feasability study be carried out with a view to linking Newbridge to Pollardstown Fen Miltown Canal Feeder to Miltown to Lowtown Robertstown to Digby Bridge to Soldiers Island to Naas Harbour to Corbally and back to Newbridge creating a 50km amenity canal loop centred on Newbridge.
Movement and Transport - Objectives
To make the town more accessible for those who need to use the services available in the town centre, the key aim of the plan should be to consolidate and strengthen the town centre:
- Identify at least two locations for a pedestrian/cyclist bridge across the River Liffey within the Local Area Plan Boundary.
- The completion of the Southern Relief Road (and 2nd Bridge) to extend to link up with the M7 Motorway. In order to create ease of access and egress to Newbridge the Plan should seek to examine an additional interchange / slipway via the Athgarvan Road to link up with the M7 Motorway.
- To install a slip road off the M7 motorway for ease of access to Newbridge as a key retail
destination
- To identify, extend and link the current cycle lanes to provide safe and secure segregated cycle options.
- To investigate the possibility of facilitating two-way traffic along the southern section of Cutlery Road between Military Road and the entrance to the Tarmel Centre.
- Re-design Military Road to create a green boulevard street as opposed to a link road around the town centre.
- That corner developments at key junctions along with infill sites and vacant plots are examined and identified to encourage new edge to permieter blocks
Climate Action, Movement and Environment - Objectives
- Increase the step back from the River Liffey to 150m in order to ensure a green corridor is maintained along the Linear Park and to provide protection to the pockets of semi-natural grass land and wetland that run along the margins of the Linear Park.
- Riverian margins need to be preserved.
- That the River Liffey be assigned as a nature conservation area as it is the main core area of ecological importance within Newbridge.
- Ensure biodiversity, conservation and or enhancement measures, as appropriate, are included in all proposals for new developments.
- Protect the sites of Pollardstown Fen, Mouds Bog and the Curragh Plains.
- That the Council explore linking Newbridge to Pollardstown Fen, Milltown Canal Feeder to Milltown to Lowtown, Robertstown, Digby Bridge, Soldiers Island, Naas Harbour to Corbally and back to Newbridge as an amenity canal loop.
- The development of a more sustainable energy sector incorporating power generation and energy efficiency in all sectors.
- Every effort must be made to linking habitats with open spaces.
Economic Development / Industry & Commercial - Objectives
-
- That it become an objective of this plan that all future industrial applications be located on the periphery of the town to reduce large traffic movements through town centre.
- To bring a focus to achieve greater linkage and commercial synergy
- Ensure the provision of sufficient and suitable land is zoned for employment and innovative entrepreneurial initiatives.
- The plan should identify vacant commercial units and encourage their transition to potential economic / community infrastructure / residential units.
Heritage / Architectural and Archaeological - Objectives
- Protect all vernacular structures of historical, architectural, cultural and aesthetic merit which demonstrate the history of Newbridge and contribute to the character of the town.
- Protect and preserve the remaining sections of the original barrack walls and cavalry barracks to include but not restricted to the Archway and all associated stonework on the Athgarvan Road and
the internal structures pertaining to the original Cavalry Barracks within the Bord na Mona and Conleths GAA Grounds.
- While all historical sites should be protected the Reading and Recreational Barrackes in the Bord na Mona buildings should be included in the Record of Protected Structures (RPS).
- Identify a site-specific building (Heritage Hub) as a way or promoting the heritage and the unique cultural and historical aspects of Newbridge. The O’ Modhrain Memorial Hall on Cutlery Road, could be considered for this use.
- Heritage trail/ walk around Newbridge should be develop highlighting locations such as Town Hall, Cavalry Barracks, Bord na Mona, Watering Gates and other locations.
Town Centre / Landscape - Objectives
Public Realm: Newbridge needs a town centre that invites gatherings, provides a central space and proper street furniture that encourages residents to meet and enhance their quality of life. In this regard the LAP should as a priority continue the regeneration of the Town Hall area as a civic focal point linking to Georges St in the form of a designed plaza and pedestrian priority zone.
- Support the regeneration of the Town Hall as a civic centre of importance linking main street to Georges Street.
- Redesign Market square as an urban green space framed by a new civic building to enclose the streetscape and square.
- Improve the appearance of signage, lighting, environmental and landscaping of the town centre and surrounding streets.
- One of the primary or long-term objectives of the LAP should that all overhead cables in the Town Centre be run underground
- Currently the main streetscape is quite hard and that it become an objective of this plan that as and when path upgrades or services works are being considered for Main Street that softer landscaping form part of any upgrades such as the planting of appropriate trees and that there is a move away from planter boxes.
- Develop a framework for balanced, orderly town centre growth
- Improve the town's attraction as a retail and tourist destination through the provision of softer
public realm.
- Situated on Cutlery Road the Water Tower should be retained as a feature and landmark of the area. Inventive architectural and landscaping work would enrich and improve the visual look of this structure.
Housing / Residential and Community -Objectives
- Identify sites for supportive living where there are underutilised back land sites capable of redevelopment particularly to the North and South of Military Road.
- Based on the principle of compact growth from the town centre out in a radial direction, that lands around the train station be considered for residential and pockets of land in town centre be considered for town centre residential use.
- Provide adequate accommodation for travellers in accordance with the Kildare County Council's Travellers Accommodation Programme.
- Identify a site to provide for an additional cemetery for Newbridge
- Support the development of a Youth Hub in Newbridge
- Support and ensure that all arts and cultural facilities in the ownership and management of the Council, are made available to the wider community to promote the role of these facilities as focal points for the community.
- To support all schools in their development of a Green School Programme.
- To support and develop the Riverbank Arts Theatre as a destination Theatre to attract visitors to stay in Newbridge.
objective to facilitate residential associations meetings, group meetings and group activities.
- Develop supported housing development similar to Ryans Field / McCauley Place. Extending the current should be examined.
- This plan should support the need for housing including social and affordable housing requirements. In this regard cognisance should be given to the nature of the existing housing stock, the desirability of providing for mixed communities, the provision of a range of housing types and tenures, the need to provide a choice of housing, suitable for all age groups and persons at different stages of the life cycle and the need to cater for disability groups including the possibility of a Retirement Village.
- Identify a site for a Family Resource Centre Hub on the Northern side of the town.
Transport – Objectives
- That a site-specific location be identified at the Train Station for the provision of a main bus depot.
- That a site-specific location for a smaller bus depot be identified on Military road at the back of the industrial park which currently appears to have considerable derelict sites. Thereby, removing buses from the mail street.
- That all bus shelters are fully universally accessible.
Health - Objectives
- To identify site specific locations for primary care centres as part of the 10-minute settlement centre objective.
- That it is an objective of this plan to facilitate the development of health centres, local clinics, nursing homes and residential home care units in close proximity to town centre.
- Identify site for a new Day Care Centre to meet the needs of the growing population.
Community
That it be an objective in the lifeterm of the plan to promote and deliver Community Gardens using a universal design sustainable and accessible to all.
Economic
That a site be identified for a town centre Hotel given the demand for bed nights places in County Kildare.
Transport
That an orbital bus route corridor be identified around the town of Newbridge.
That a Area Action Plan be considered for Eyre Street
On behalf of
Cllr Tracey O Dwyer
Cllr Peggy O Dwyer