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EHB saves money with Naas Hospital appeal

NAAS, 27 February 1999: by Trish Whelan. The Eastern Health Board has saved over £80,000 by appealing a number of conditions of their planning permission for Phase Two of Naas General Hospital to An Bord Pleanála. The ABP decision allowed them to remove the condition that required them to provide an independent on-site water reservoir for firefighting purposes which had an estimated cost of £50,000. In addition, a condition that they pay £149,021 to Naas UDC expenditure in relation to the development was reduced to £118,000.

ABP ruled that a condition which would entail the EHB to provide extra car parking spaces if the planning authority so decided, should not remain in the planning permission. However the EHB failed in their bid not to be compelled to provide £231,700 for necessary road widening and realignment of the Craddockstown Road. They will also have to pay the cost of any land which needs to be acquired for this purpose.

New super processor being manufactured at Intel

LEIXLIP, 27 February 1999: by Brian Byrne. A new processor that is designed specifically to power computers for the internet is being produced at Intel's European manufacturing headquarters at Leixlip. Pentium III was announced yesterday by the company and is available in 450MHz and 550MHz versions and will be found in systems costing under $2,000 in the US.

It is currently estimated that there are 41 million internet users in Europe, a figure expected to grow to 136 million in the next three years. The new processor, which is up to 93% faster than a similar Pentium II unit in some applications, will allow much enhanced audio and video streaming and 3-D applications. It will also allow better and more secure tracking of PCs on the internet, providing enhanced systems management.

Water shortages 'just the start' - alliance

KILDARE GENERAL, 27 February 1999: Current restrictions on water are simply a foretaste of things to come, according to the Kildare Planning Alliance (whose Aidan Kane is pictured left) which says the situation reminds Kildare people that the reliability of their water supply is 90% dependent on 'the goodwill of Dublin Corporation'. The alliance in a statement, also notes that one of the reasons given for the shortage is 'cold weather' and wonders about 'hot weather' being used for a similar shortage in summer time.

'Kildare residents will be only too familiar with the difficulties which have arisen with water supplies in recent years,' the statement reads. 'Poor pressure is commonplace in some localities, lengthy cut offs are not unusual in others and contamination of drinking water, most seriously displayed in Naas, have all occurred in recent years. Attempts to plug the leaks as part of a 3-year £2m programme funded by the taxpayer have as yet produced little savings'. The alliance points out that while aspirations exist towards reducing the 90% dependency figure to 50% by the year 2010, this would still represent more abstraction from the River Liffey, given Kildare's plans for 'a population explosion'.

'On average, every Kildare person uses 36 gallons of water per day and as a consequence, water extraction from the River Liffey has now reached a stage where its continued viability as a fishing river is threatened. Any angler who uses the river is only too familiar with how it has deteriorated over recent years. Its hydro power function is also in steep decline. Its amenity value for sports and recreation of all kinds has been compromised by County Kildare's overloaded sewage works'.

The Kildare Planning Alliance calls on Kildare County Council to call a halt to what it terms 'unsustainable madness' and to restore the population targets to those recommended by its own consultant. 'Sadly, the basic right of people to a reliable supply of fresh water seems today to be taking second place to a feeding frenzy for residential expansion, encouraged vigorously by a majority of Kildare councillors'.

Mill Lane site work 'should cease' - councillor

NAAS, 26 February 1999: by Trish Whelan and Brian Byrne. All development work on the McInerney development site at Mill Lane in Naas should cease until the terms and conditions of permission are fully updated, clarified and protected, according to Naas UDC member Seamie Moore. He has brought a member of Kildare County Council's planning staff to inspect the site at Mill Lane, which links the Sallins Road with the canal road at Tandy's Bridge.

Issues raised by Cllr Moore include 'massive amounts of clay and general building debris' moved into the 'blue area' of the site; a line of excavation, corresponding to the now-unacceptable Relief Road to Mill Lane has also been opened in this area (this is pictured left from the wildlife reservation between the site and the canal)and gravel is being excavated; a line of mature trees has been removed; and Cllr Moore also says no area of land has been set aside for future road improvements to Mill Lane. "The required pedestrian access and walkway to nearby Spring Gardens has not yet been completed, either, and the contractors have filled in the historical spring well at the edge of the site. Clay dumping will also likely interfere with the natural surface water flows into the wetlands area." Permission for the development was granted on appeal by the owner to An Bord Pléanala amid much local opposition.

"As far as I'm concerned, Naas gets a poor response in the services of planning inspection and lots of developments in the town are practically completed without regular inspection. This is caused probably because Naas UDC doesn't have its own planning staff and they must contract them from KCC where there are staff and number restrictions. I think this is a particular example of what goes on. I know those people down there are anxious to acquire the property from the nearby Convent which will be soon zoned for building. The whole area of the Canal and Mill Lane is a very sensitive area and when development is allowed it should be controlled to the maximum and to the safety of all the amenities of the area."

New homes handed over to KCC tenants

CARAGH, 26 February 1999: The cathaoirleach of Kildare County Council, Cllr Jim Reilly, yesterday officially opened the latest 10 houses in a 14-home council development at Caragh Lawns, Caragh. The keys of the homes were afterwards given to the successful applicants at a function in Coffeys pub.

"One of the most important events in our lives is when we receive the key to our own home," Cllr Reilly said. "I have no doubt but that today will be very memorable to you. It's very much your day." He complimented all who were involved in the process and said he expected to see many similar home openings over the next few years in the county, particularly for local communities such as Caragh, which depend on local authority housing in order to stay in existence."

Dermot Brennan, Kildare County Council, said the scheme was a source of great pride for all who had worked to see the project completed. Cllr Spike Nolan, chairman of the Naas Area Committee said he was delighted to see that there were three families from Newbridge who have moved into the scheme. "We in Newbridge have no ground whatsoever for county council housing." Cllr JJ Power said it was 'nice to see some of our own people moving in with newcomers as well'. Fr Jackie O'Connell PP said he looked forward to the newcomers becoming a part of the community.

Pictured are (below left) Mary and Sean Smullen with children Robbie (1) and Sean (2) outside their new home, and (below right) Ella Hurley from Newbridge with Dermot Brennan and Cllr Jim Reilly.

Change in taxi rates to North Kildare needs approval by four authorities

KILDARE NORTH, 26 February 1999: Any proposal to extend the Dublin Taximeter Area into the area of Kildare County Council would have to be considered by a Joint Committee of the four local authorities in Dublin, according to Con Coll, principal officer, Dublin Corporation. He said Dublin Corporation could not act on its own in this instance.

The Joint Committee last November recommended that maximum fare controls should be introduced for journeys originating within the Dublin Taximeter Area and terminating within 20 miles of the city centre (including many parts of County Kildare). The committee also recommended that consideration be given to a two-tier journey charge at the next fare review and the recommendations have been accepted by the four authorities. If the 20-mile radius is to apply the Department of the Environment and Local Government will have to introduce legal changes.

The matter has been repeatedly raised by Leixlip-based Cllr Catherine Murphy.

Angry Naas residents say 'no' to more rezonings

NAAS, 26 February 1999: by Trish Whelan and Brian Byrne. Naas UDC and Kildare County Council have been told bluntly that no further rezonings should take place in Naas until 'acceptable' infrastructure is first put in place. That was the almost unanimous view of more than 400 people who attended a public meeting organised by the Naas Planning Alliance and held in Naas CBS secondary school on Tuesday night. "We have concerns for the future because of our experience of the past, and tonight is partly to redress the democratic deficit in the planning process," said chairman John Walsh.

'Nobody ever tells us what's going on' was a common theme amongst those present, and many people spoke their feelings strongly from the floor. Eamonn D'Arcy asked how councillors had 'got it so wrong,' while Naas Planning Alliance member Mary Cahill (pictured) called the whole planning process 'a bit like a secret society. "It's as if the developers and planners all know the secret password. But we need to be told what's going on ... in plain and simple language." Pat McCarthy of the Sallins Road Action Group said his organisation was questioning the overall policy of allowing the town to continue growing indefinitely. "Naas needs a breathing space for services and facilitites to catch up." On Oldtown Demesne, he said the developers are 'the people who are making a killing'. "What will they care about Naas when they have made their millions?"

John Walsh (pictured) told the meeting that between 1996 and 2004 the plan for Naas is to increase the population by 8,000 people. "The last length of time it took to do this was from 1901-1991. This represents an increase of 56% on the 1996 figure of 14,074 and would 'seriously alter the community based nature of a country town and leave us with an impersonal urban sprawl." Emmet Stagg TD said the draft plan 'is so excessive it will absolutely destroy Naas'. "Enough land is already zoned to give another 3,600 people left over from the previous plan. Effectively, social bribes are being offered to the council to try and force them to zone land which is not necessary. Social bribery should be illegal."

It was stated the draft plan for Naas acknowledges that there are currently serious overcrowding problems due to recent population increases in Naas and that the Health Centre on Sarto Road is at present overcrowded. And, as no improvement has been seen in the Caragh Road Sports Centre over the last ten years, they were not confident that any of the objectives of this part of the plan will be developed. They demanded there be no change from the existing residential zoning plan and that every effort be made to solve difficulties being experienced by current residents.

Amid much angry heckling, a number of councillors who had voted for the draft town plan explained their reasons for doing so. All said they believed providing more jobs was in the best interest of the town. There were apologies for not being able to attend the meeting from Alan Dukes TD, Bernard Durkan TD, county planner Philip Jones, Naas town clerk Declan Kirrane and Cllr Tony Lawlor.

The Naas Draft Town Plan is due to come off public display on March 23 while the County Kildare Draft Development Plan is now back on public display for one month.

Council 'negligent' over traveller issue

LEIXLIP, 26 February 1999: Kildare County Council has been accused of 'being highly negligent' in its handling of the traveller problem at Louisa Bridge in Leixlip and of having scant regard to the importance of the area to the people of the town. Cllr Colm Purcell (pictured) said the site occupied by a number of travelling families is of environmental and scientific value, and 'a huge amenity that has been lost to local people who feel very sore about this'.

The issue had been raised by Cllr Catherine Murphy at Monday's KCC meeting when she sought an update on the position following the withdrawal of the council's application for a court injunction to have some of the caravans removed from the car park. This followed legal advice because they had nowhere else to locate them.

In response, assistant county manager Terry O Niadh said it was now proposed to clean up the site by providing a skip to take away heavy rubbish while Portaloos are also to be provided. But he said it was not the Council's intention to allow the area become a permanent halting site and he hoped to reach agreement with the families concerned to occupy only a portion of the car park so as to allow access to the Spa Area.

Cllr Purcell also asked about the committee of the council, the Spa Committee, formed to deal with this site, which he said hadn't met 'in yonks'. Council chairman Jim Reilly said that committee should 'get some form of meeting in place.'

K Club gets permission for major development

STRAFFAN, 26 February 1999: by Trish Whelan. The K Club in Straffan, home to golf's prestigious Ryder Cup in 2005, has been given the go-ahead from Kildare County Council for an ambitious new scheme at the 330-acre site. Councillors have agreed a material contravention to the County Development Plan 1985, paving the way for 40 three- and four-bedroomed villas as well as a second 18-hole course and practice area linked to the existing 18-hole course by a new golf buggy bridge across the River Liffey. The new houses will have access to the club via a new private road bridge across the river.

The club currently has a £30,000 membership fee and applied three years ago for permission for 75 houses on the site. During the debate, Senator John Dardis asked that public access along the river bank be a condition of planning permission. The application by Bessilton Holdings Limited was formally proposed by Cllr Spike Nolan and seconded by Cllr P J Sheridan who said the 'whole village of Straffan' is 100% behind the project. County manager Niall Bradley said there will be a 'substantial' number of conditions attached to the permission.

Kildare business women hear about time management

KILDARE GENERAL, 25 February 1999: The newly-launched Kildare Branch of Network Ireland, the organisation for women in business, the professions and the arts hosted its first Network Evening on last Tuesday, in the Red House Inn, Newbridge. Guest speaker for the evening was Neil O'Brien of TMI who gave a 'mini-seminar' presentation on Time Management. Further information on the activities of the branch may be had by emailing Paula Hynes.

President McAleese visits Kildare

KILDARE GENERAL, 24 February 1999: The President of Ireland, Mrs Mary McAleese, visited several parts of Kildare county yesterday, in the course of which she officially opened the Heritage Centre at the Grand Canal Hotel in Robertstown. She also visited Scoil Mhuire in Newbridge where she unveiled a copy of the school's current aims. (picture by Adrian Melia)

Kildare to decrease dependency on Dublin for water

KILDARE GENERAL, 23 February 1999: by Trish Whelan. At yesterday's meeting of Kildare County Council, engineer John Murphy said it is hoped to cut Kildare's dependency on Dublin for water from the current level of 90% to 50% by the year 2010. He pointed out Kildare is the only county within the region trying to find water from sources other than the River Liffey. He warned that demand is increasing because of development within the region.

Householders in most parts of County Kildare are bracing themselves for a month of acute water shortages which according to Dublin Corporation are due to major refurbishment works at Leixlip Water Treatment Plant, 'cold weather conditions and increased use by customers.' As a result supplies from the Ballymore Eustace Treatment Works will be restricted until Sunday March 21st. In order to minimise the duration of cut-offs Kildare County Council has asked its customers to use water sparingly. The restriction comes as an estimated 35m gallons of water flows down the drain EACH DAY in the Dublin region.

While accepting the need for conservation and water restriction in certain circumstances, Senator John Dardis referred to 'Kildare's vulnerability to a facility which exists in Kildare ... but which is operated by another local authority ' and said 'this is all leading to further abstraction of the River Liffey." Dublin Corporation is proposing to increase its abstraction from the Liffey from its licenced limit of 70m gallons a day to at least 100m gallons a day. A 3-year, £32m leak detection programme is yet in its early phase according to council officials.

 

Audio business guide for aspiring entrepreneurs

CLANE, 21 February 1999: An audio guide to starting your own business, Steps to Success in Your Enterprise, is now available from Kildare County Enterprise Board. The guide is a combination of the background to available help from Kildare County Enterprise Board, real life experiences from newly-started entrepreneurs, advice and direction on putting together a business plan, and help and guidelines on determining the market size and on how to do market research. It is available free of charge from Kildare County Enterprise Board at The Woods, Clane, phone 045 861707 or email info@kildareceb.ie

The production was commissioned from Telling Tales Ltd, PO Box 106, Naas, Co Kildare. Pictured at the recent launch of the guide are Brendan Moreland, chairman KCEB; Mary Feely Hobbs, Simply Art, Athgarvan (contributor to tape); An Tanaiste, Mary Harney TD; Sean Fay, Taravale Foods, Naas (contributor to tape); and Brendan McGrath, CEO of the KCEB.

 

Stone Circle says hand knitting workers are scarce

KILCULLEN, 21 February 1999: Pictured at the recent Showcase Exhibition at the RDS is Keelin O'Siochain, of Stone Circle, Kilcullen Industrial Estate. The company produces Contemporary knitwear in exclusive yarns, as well as original traditional clothing in Irish linen and lace. Based in Kilcullen for 20 years, Stone Circle specialises in hand knitting and hand loomed oieces. "We employ a number of out workers who knit directly from home. It's becoming more difficult to get them and have to go as far as Wexford to get good knitters. We also use clusters of knitters around the country. We are the only producers of insert laces which are very popular in Japan and America, and Showcase is vital for contacts from abroad."

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