A decision by An Bord Pleanala to refuse planning permission for one of the largest housing schemes ever proposed for Co Kildare has been warmly welcomed by the Celbridge Development Watchdog Committee.
Two companies, Anderfield Developments and Portlinscale Ltd, had appealed to the board against Kildare County Council's rejection of their plans to build 451 houses and nine apartments at Oldtown, Celbridge.
An Bord Pleanala upheld the council's decision, saying the proposed development would lead to greatly increased traffic levels on a deficient road network and would, therefore, be "premature".
The Celbridge Development Watchdog Committee maintains that direct access to the M4 motorway, a new bridge over the Liffey and a proper road network around the town are required before any more large-scale housing development is permitted.
The committee also points to overcrowded schools in the area, and says many new residents have been alarmed to find no place in the nearby school for their children. "School yards and playing pitches are being replaced in part by prefabricated classrooms, while class sizes are being increased to the limit," it said. Building programmes were also behind schedule.
The committee describes itself as a "non-political, pro-active group" set up in April last year to oppose further land rezoning in the Celbridge area, at least until the deficiencies in the town's infrastructure are addressed.
Kildare County Council is currently reviewing its county development plan. Last week, on the recommendation of planning officials, the councillors adopted a strategy limiting population growth to 12,000 over the next five years.
