MINUTES OF THE NAAS AREA COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 28 JUNE, 2001.
Councillors:Councillor A. Lawlor, Councillor M. Glennon, Councillor B. Hillis, and Councillor T. Conway.
Present:Ms. P. Hickey, Acting County Secretary, J. Gavigan, Executive Engineer, L. Dunne, A/AO, T. McDonnell, NRDO and C. O’Grady, A/Staff Officer.
Apologies:Deputy S. Power
------
NS1/0601
Minutes
The Minutes of the 17 May, 2001 were proposed by Councillor B. Hillis and seconded by Councillor Glennon and agreed by the Members.
NS2/0601
Planning Files
A report was circulated to the Members in relation to each of the planning files listed.
Planning File 97/1314 – John O’Halloran.
It was confirmed that the complaint regarding unauthorised development on the site is being followed up at the present. Councillor Glennon also circulated a copy of the letter received by her in relation to this application.
Planning File UD/Gail Roe.
It has been confirmed that this matter has been referred to Messrs. Brown & McCann, Solicitors to initiate legal proceedings. Councillor Glennon asked what progress was being made in relation to finalising this matter, as this has been ongoing for some time.
Planning File 01/218 – Herbertstown Stud.
It was confirmed that as was advised at the meeting of the Area Committee of the 17 May, 2001 further information was requested from the application on the 8th May, 2001, no reply has been received to date. The comments made by the Members of the meeting on the 17 May, 2001 in relation to this application has been noted on the file. Councillor Lawlor confirmed that the applicant has been trying to contact the relevant engineers in relation to this application but without success. He further stated that reports from the Roads and Sanitary Services Section are not on the file.
Planning File 99/763 – Kevin Cooke.
The members were informed that the council’s solicitors have received correspondence from Solicitors acting on behalf of Caragh Stone Homes Ltd. They advised that they have requested legal opinion in this case and they will not be in a position to dispose of the property at 15 Caragh View until such time as the matter of the enforcement notice has been resolved. Councillor Glennon asked that the Councils Solicitors be requested to sort this matter out without further delay. The members requested that all planning files be listed for the next meeting and that an official from the Planning Department would attend the meeting in order to deal with matters arising in relation to the files.
NS3/0601
Traffic Lights and Road Alterations at Curragh Road Kilcullen.
This matter was deferred to the next meeting
NS4/0601
N7 Road Interchanges – Maudlins to Fishery Lane Improvement Scheme and N7 Interchange and Kill and Johnstown Streetscape Plan.
Tadgh McDonnell from the National Road Design Office attended to deal with these two matters. Confirmed that the purpose of the schemes was to improve the safety of the dual carriageway by providing three interchanges and three lanes on the dual carriageway as far as Naas. The three interchanges would be located at Johnstown, Kill and midway between Turfbog Lane and the road to Castlewarden. The CPO is due to be signed on the 16th July. A Section 59 will be required between Kildare County Council and Naas UDC as part of the scheme at Fishery Lane is within the urban area. The National Roads Authority met last October with those people who’s houses are going to be affected by these schemes to advise them that it was the NRA intention to widen the road and outlining the effects that these works would have on the landowners. In relation to the Maudlins, Fishery Lane Improvement scheme which will go ahead irrespective of the decision on the works for the dual carriageway, he confirmed that this was advertised as a Part X. No submissions were received. The scheme will affect a number of landowners and it is hoped to reach agreement with them. He confirmed that the Kill Johnstown Streetscape plan is contingent on the confirmation of the CPO and the receipt of advanced funding to initiate the project before works begin on the N7 dual carriageway. The Area Committee recommended approval by the Council of the Part X on Maudlins Fishery Lane Improvement Scheme.
NS5/0601
Roadworks for the next month that will be completed.
A list of Road Works that are planned for the following month were circulated to the members. This included work at Castlefish, Yellowbog, Millicent, Painstown, and Haynestown.
NS 6/0601
Councillors Queries.
Deputy Power
(a) When will road repairs be carried out on the link road – Naas/Kilcullen and Mullacash?
It was confirmed that repairs to potholes on the link road – Naas /Kilcullen to Mullacash will be carried out in the next few weeks
(b) (i) When will the public lights on the N7 at St. Joseph’s National School, Halverstown, Kilcullen, be operational?
The NRA have sought tenders for installation & comissioning lights on a nationwide basis and will be responsible for comissioning of these lights
(b) (ii) If a “ghost island” could be built on the N7 at the turn for St. Joseph’s School.
The NRA have previously indicated to the Athy area members that they do not favour the installation of ghost islands on this road.
(c) There is a serious traffic hazard at Cross and Passion College Kilcullen, which is of concern to the Board of Management of the school. Have the County Council had this matter examined?
The area engineer has been in contact with the school in relation to this matter. Following discussion the members suggested that the lights at the Main Road/Curragh Road junction be adjusted to allow use by pedestrians from both sides. It was also agreed that the area engineer would contact the school in relation to a solution to the difficulties experienced by students and motorists as a result of the students exiting from the school and crossing the road at various locations. It was suggested that the gate at the traffic lights be opened and a barrier put in place and that the gate currently being used be closed. The area engineer will follow up this matter
(d) In view of the huge increase in traffic, could consideration be given to widening the road at Newhall, Naas?
This has been referred to road design for report
Councillor Glennon
(a) Update from the Roads Department on the status of the investigation of Arconagh on the Newbridge Road and Ashgrove Estate on the Dublin Road as regards traffic signals and traffic management, as requested by me at the previous meeting.
A traffic management study will be carried out at this location co-funded by the D.T.O. and the council
(b) Update on the availability of funds to construct a footpath from St. Joseph’s Road on the Sallins Road to the new traffic lights at Hollywood Park.
It is not possible to construct a footpath along this section of road without setting back the garden walls. There are no funds available at present to carry out this work
(c) Having been given a lengthy period of time to consider the report on the roads submitted by the Eadestown and Kilteel Community Development Association, can the Roads Department hold out any hope that any of these improvements will be carried out in the near future?
Some improvements have been carried out on the roads that were listed by the Eadestown/Kilteel association. Others are listed on the roads plan for the next four years. Items such as potholes have been repaired.
(d) Representation was made to Declan Kirrane Town Clerk, Naas UDC in May 2000 to have markings replaced outside Ballycane School. He said that it would be a matter for Kildare County Council and that as soon as road markings were being done in the area this would be done. Could they be done as a matter of urgency please?
This is a matter for Naas UDC however the area engineer will contact the town engineer to advise him when the lining contractor is next in the area.
(e) Mr. Paddy Quinlan has been running an illegal quarry at Bishopland, Ballymore Eustate, for quite some time now. What enforcement is Kildare County Council planning to stop this, as he has no planning permission?
This matter is being investigated at present and the members will be further advised as soon as possible
(f) Could this Area Committee please have an explanation as to the rationale behind the licence granted to the KTK Landfill at Silliot Hill, Kilcullen which dictates that the heavy daily traffic of lorries from all over the country have to come through Naas where the traffic is at breakingpoint.
Already two accidents have involved these trucks in the middle of the town. I am told by one of these drivers that they are given a letter at the landfill site expressly forbidding them from going through Kilcullen. Can we be given a copy of this letter?
The members were advised that the waste licence granted to KTK was issued by the EPA. It was agreed to refer the matter to planning section to see if it was a condition of the planning permission on the site.
Councillor Lawlor
(a) Can the land adjoining Foley’s house in St. Patrick’s Park be made available to the family to construct a house?
This matter has been referred to architects section for investigation and report.
(b) When will the footpaths in Patrick’s Park be repaired
Some work on the footpaths will be carried out in September/October.
(c) What LIS and CIS are to be completed in the area during 2001?
Recommendations are being prepared for presentation to the council and will be available for the next meeting
Councillor T. Conway
(a) Is my objection to Readymix Planning File 2092/00 being activated on?
Decision due on the 2 July. Councillor Conway’s objection has been noted on file.
(b) When will the serious traffic hazard on the land after Millstone House on the Kilcullen/Dunlavin road be put into a safe condition?
This has been referred to road design for report.
Adjourned Motions
NS7/0601
Notice of Motion – Deputy Stagg
“That a scheme of Parking Regulations be drawn up for Sallins Village”.
It was confirmed that this item would be carried out when resources are available. The members requested that a copy of this report be issued to Deputy Stagg.
NS8/0601
Notice of Motion – Deputy Stagg
“That a footpath be provided immediately from Castlefen to Sallins Village to be funded from Development Levies.”
It was confirmed that the estimated cost of providing a footpath from Castlefen to Sallins Village is in the region of £30,000. No monies from development levies have been yet been identified for this work. A copy of this report is to be issued to Deputy Stagg.
Current Motions
NS9/0601
Notice of Motion – Deputy Power
When the dump at “Silliot Hill” will be closed. If the burning off of gas emission can be restricted to night time only and if the existing burner will be replaced with a more environmentally friendly unit.
It was agreed that this Motion would be deferred to the next meeting.
NS10/0601
Notice of Motion – Deputy Stagg
“That Enforcement Notices be served on the Bridgewater Inn Public House (867/97) and Flanagan’s Mill Public House (438/98) both of Sallins, in relation to the provision of car parking spaces on their sites, in view of the indiscriminate parking of vehicles on Canal View, Sallins, which is causing such difficulty for residents of Canal View who are barricaded into their homes by patrons of the said establishments parking outside their houses, and that this Enforcement Notice issue forthwith.”
It was confirmed by the Planning Section that this matter is being investigated at present.
NS11/0601
Notice of Motion – Councillor Hillis
“That Kildare County Council change Oliver Plunkett Road, Ballymore Eustace to one way in a downward direction, to drain and ramp it and prioritize the traffic flow from The Square to Chapel Street.”
It was confirmed that Roads Design will investigate the proposal. Councillor Hillis confirmed that the residents have collected £5,000, which they are prepared to contribute towards the drainage works for this project. A report was requested from Roads Design Section for the next meeting.
NS12/0601
Notice of Motion – Councillor T. Conway
“That a footpath be laid between St. Joseph’s Road and the Traffic Lights at Hollywood Park, Naas.”
It was confirmed that in order for this work to be carried to out the gardens of some of the properties in the area would have to be set back. There is currently no funding available to carry out this work.
NS13/0601
Notice of Motion – Councillor T. Conway
“That the NRA make provision for Traffic using minor roads through Rathmore etc. while major works on the motorway are in progress.”
Tadgh McDonnell of the National Road Design Office confirmed that he would discuss this matter with the NRA at a meeting, which had been arranged for next week and will report back to the members.
NS14/0601
Notice of Motion – Deputy Power
“If the County Council could provide an update on the position in relation to the serious pollution of lands at Logstown, Kilcullen.”
This motion was deferred to the next meeting and a copy of a report on the matter was requested.
NS15/0601
Notice of Motion – Deputy Power
“What plans the County Council have to acquire lands for housing purposes in the Naas Electoral Area and what efforts have been made in this regard.”
A report was read to the meeting indicating the position in relation to land acquisition for housing in the Naas Electoral Area.
Naas.
Fourteen acres of land has been acquired by Naas UDC at the former Devoy Barracks for housing purposes. It is envisaged that this will be capable of accommodating housing applicants from within the urban district and some from the wider electoral area.
Kill.
Each of the landowners, who sought to have land re-zoned for residential purposes in Kill as part of the new development process, has been requested to transfer 20% of this land to the County Council for social and affordable housing. The total amount involved is 4 hectares (9.8 acres). The response has been poor but negotiations are continuing. In any event, it is likely that most of the planning permissions which would be granted in respect of these lands would be liable for the transfer of 20% for social and affordable housing in accordance with the terms of the housing strategy. It is envisaged that further land will be needed there for social and affordable housing.
Kilcullen.
Approaches were made to three landowners in Kilcullen for housing sites. Negotiations are in hand for the acquisition of 11 acres of land with one of the three landowners concerned.
There is a need to acquire lands in Caragh and Johnstown for social and affordable housing and it is proposed to address this in the coming months.
NS16/0601
Notice of Motion – Councillor Lawlor
“That this area committee request a meeting with the NRA to outline their concerns with regard to the N7 upgrade, the bypass villages of Kill and Johnstown and the minor and secondary roads which will be used by traffic during the construction of the N7 upgrade.”
It was agreed to write to the National Roads Authority to request a meeting with the inspector for the Kildare Area.
NS17/0601
Notice of Motion – Councillor Hillis
“That Kildare County Council acquire land to extend the graveyard in Ballymore Eustace.”
It was confirmed that it had been agreed that the additional burial facilities should be provided in Ballymore Eustace. A site has been investigated and will be pursued in the coming months.
NS18/0601
Notice of Motion – Councillor T. Conway
“That Naas Swimming Pool be renamed “The William Callahan Memorial Swimming Pool”and that consideration be made for a new site for the swimming pool.”
Following discussions the members agreed that it would be inequitable to name the pool after one individual when so many people in the town made an equal contribution to the provision of the pool. In relation to the consideration of a new site it was confirmed that agreement had already been reached in relation to proposals for upgrading of the pool at its current location.
NS19/0601
Any Other Business
Ann Rowan, AO circulated a report to the members in relation to draft guidelines on the Kilcullen Business Park.
The meeting then concluded.
NAAS AREA MEETING HELD 28 JUNE, 2001
- 1 -