Please find submission below:

Gallops Avenue

MTO 3.3 - In spite of the democratic decision of the sitting Naas Municipal District Council two years ago in deciding to reject the Chief Executive’s Part 8 Report and not to proceed with the development of a road on the route of the proposed Gallops Avenue [then called the Naas Inner Relief Road], and in spite of hundreds of submissions, observations and objections from residents against this proposed route when input was sought (e.g. Public Consultations for the Naas Sallins Transport Strategy, Naas Draft LAP), KCC continues to include and promote the ‘Gallops Avenue’ route as the viable means to deal with traffic issues in Naas. 

At this stage, in 2021, it is beyond credible that a route envisaged 30 years ago is still seen by KCC as the optimal solution, given the scale of development and expansion of the town since then, and now increasing further in this Naas LAP / under the proposed MAs.  As the development of a road on the proposed Gallops Avenue route has already been rejected, as set out above,  MA 22 / MTO 3.3 should state that the only route under consideration is one to the east of Naas Racecourse.

MTO 3.9 - The development of an Outer Ring Road routed to the east of Naas Racecourse to take traffic and HGVs to/from the south and eastern sides of Naas to/from the N/M7 corridor is a necessity within the lifetime of this LAP.    Investigating the feasibility of an Outer Relief Road is inadequate.

Therefore MA 23 / MTO 3.9 should be reworded to state the Outer Relief Road shall be developed to the east of Naas Racecourse, within the lifetime of this LAP, to facilitate the expansion and development of Naas town in a future-proofed and well-ordered manner. 

Land Use Zonings

A number of MAs seek to alter previously proposed zonings of sites from the initial Draft LAP to either; New Residential, New Residential Phase 2, or Existing/Infill Residential .

With residential densities now being increased considerably across many existing sites with a proposed zoning of New Residential (as set out in Table 3.5), it seems quite illogical to add further New Residential / New Residential Phase 2 zonings to this LAP at Material Alteration stage while the same time, lose the previous zonings on these sites for such important requirements as Enterprise and Employment (MA 71) Community and Education (MA 75) Open Space and Amenity (MA 76) and a Strategic Reserve zoning (MA61).

The construction of large numbers of residential units without adequate provision (i.e. zoning of land) for the required essential associated facilities, services, employment opportunites and amenities such as those permitted under the previously proposed zonings in the initial draft LAP is surely suboptimal longer term planning.

The location of the ‘C (13) Dublin Road’ site (as set out in Table 3.5), with a proposed zoning of New Residential does not appear to be shown on the accompanying map (11.1), although it is now proposed to be zoned for up to 55 residential units.

Rejuvenation of Naas Town Centre

The development of large scale out-of-town retail parks and shopping centres (in particular the Monread Centre) has led to a massive loss of foot-fall and business from Naas town centre, which has never really been fully recovered.  A thriving and prosperous commercial town centre is essential for Naas and its residents, and all efforts should be promoted to ensure this is facilitated.

This LAP seeks to address this issue in ways, however leaving the possibility of further large scale out-of-town developments still open to the further detriment of the town centre and all efforts to rejuvenate it.  For example a Mixed Use zoning is proposed to be applied to the former Concrete Pipes and Donnelly Mirrors sites and could allow such developments, based on the proposed change under MA 50 (permitting of certain developments to change from ‘Not Permitted’ to ‘Not Normally Permitted’ (but then states may be permitted under undefined ‘very exceptional circumstances’)). A policy to prioritise town centre developments is necessary.