Maynooth Community Council
Meeting Notes 12 April 2021
New Members to MCC:
- We welcome new members representing Castle Dawson, Pebble Hill, Castle Park, Limetree Hall, Woodlands, and Griffin Rath Manor.
Treasurers Report:
- Successful outcome to application submitted under KCC 2nd round COVID-19 Emergency Fund with allocation of €1,000 to MCC.
- Application submitted to KCC under Community Grants Scheme for biodiversity project.
Sub- Committees/Working Groups updates:
- Planning & Development Sub-committee reported on outcome of following planning submissions:
- Greenfield Shopping Centre: Planning permission for this development has been refused.
- Celbridge Road: KCC seeking further information on this development.
- Divine Word Moyglare road: Submission made on this proposed development.
- Covid Response Team reported on successful joint project between MCC and TY Students from MEC and Maynooth Community Care Unit. 15 students volunteered through a call out from TY Co-ordinator Mrs Jakki Burns, to make personalised Easter Cards for the 26 residents in the Community Care Unit. Beautiful handmade Easter Cards and a selection of Easter Eggs were delivered to the Unit on Good Friday and went down a treat with staff and residents.
- Easter Banner made by Orna …………. Whitty and selection of Easter goodies presented to staff and residents of TLC nursing home.
- A selection of Easter goodies was also supplied by Covid Response Team to Garda Aidan McGuane for delivery to vunerable in our community to bring some Easter Cheer their way.
Meeting with Local Gardaí
- Executive Committee reported on the very successful meeting with Superintendant Eamonn Curley and local community Gardaí. It was acknowledged by all that all age groups are suffering from the effects of the current level 5 Covid -19 restrictions and that the majority of our population are adhering to the Government guidelines. Supt. Curley informed the EC that Garda presence would be increased in Maynooth over holiday weekends and that the approach will be one of engagement with socialising groups and ensuring no major incidents arise.
Affiliates Updates:
- MEC PTA. Post Primary Schools gradually getting back to full capacity. Frances Bradley acknowledged the great work done by the 15 TY students and the importance of such cross community collaborations.
- Maynooth SEC: Decarbonised Zone update given by Peter Hamilton who thanked all groups for their support of the submission putting Maynooth forward for selection as pilot town for Kildare.
KCC is only one of 2 Local Authorities in the country who facilitated public consultation. Application goes before KCC plenary meeting scheduled for April 26th , this will be followed by a written recommendation from KCC to the Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) who are leading the DZ initiative. The deadline for submissions to DHLGH is 30th April.
Councillor Updates:
- Harbour Field going to Part8 public consultation at end of April.
- Cllr Hamilton updated on his motion for redesign of cycle/footpaths on the Dublin Road area and on the right permeability design for Carton Avenue, being fully mindful and respectful of the heritage value of the Avenue to the people of Maynooth.
- Cllr. Durkan advised that his emergency motion to have 1,100ltr wheelie bins installed in the harbour area on a pilot basis to help alleviate the litter problem in the area was fully supported by all MD Councillors. Hopeful that bins will be installed at an early date.
- Cllr Feeney updated on the construction of Maynooth Eastern Relief Road (MERR). Commencement of construction delayed as it is a complicated scheme involving numerous stakeholders. Procurement process due to commence in Quarters 2 or 3, 2022 with work commencing in Quarter 1, 2023 and running for 18 months. Planning permission for housing developments in lands adjoining the MERR will be subject to a condition that the MERR is fully operational prior to occupation of housing in any approved housing developments.
- Proposal to have a walking and cycling trail linking Maynooth and Celbridge and taking in the historic obelisk on route, put to KCC.
- Timeline for resurfacing M4 between Maynooth and Leixlip with noise mitigating surface subject to outcome of discussions on dedicated bus lane on route.
- Derelict site on Main St. with Environment Section for attention.
- Car Park on Doctors Lane is with Planning Dept. who are liaising with the developer.
Parson Street Development:
- The second half of the meeting was dedicated to the proposed development on Parson St. by Glenveagh Homes Ltd.
- Jennifer Whitty, PRO and Planning and Development Sub-Committee, gave a very detailed presentation on the proposed development which provided a very broad overview of the development and its impact on the area and on the town.
- A discussion followed with contributions received from many of the council members present.
- While development of the area was broadly welcomed there was consensus that the building height and density, particularly the 5-9 storeys was not acceptable.
- Concerns were also raised around:
- Heritage and the 22 protected structures in vicinity
- Traffic in an already highly congested area
- Views and shadowing of neighbouring estates
- Flooding and presence of Japanese knotweed, an invasive species
- School capacity to cater for additional school going population.
- Contravention of provisions of Local Area Plan and County Development Plan
- Planning and Development Sub-Committee agreed to prepare a comprehensive submission taking into account all of the above and any other contributions received by MCC via email
