Press Release 22.05.2018

Kerdiffstown remediation and public park creation receives planning approval from An Bord Pleanala

Kildare County Council is pleased that plans to fully remediate the landfill at Kerdiffstown, and turn it into a public park with amenities, have been approved by An Bord Pleanala*.

This Planning Permission marks another milestone for the project. Upon completion, the works will significantly reduce the potential environmental impact the site could have on the surrounding area. This will put an end to all issues that have resulted in odours in the past, and pave the way for a new public park, which is a much-needed asset for the expanding populations of Naas, Sallins, Johnstown, Kill and beyond.

The park design - which you can see here - includes three all-weather sports pitches (two full-size; one smaller), a children’s playground, nature and wildlife areas, and walking routes for people to enjoy.

EPA licences

As the park will be located on the site of a former landfill, it will need continuous aftercare and environmental monitoring by Kildare County Council. The details of this aftercare will be stipulated in the EPA licences the Council must obtain before remediation can begin, and these licences ensure that the upkeep and maintenance of the site/park will always be a priority. Furthermore, the licences will include security measures such as fencing, controlled access, and other arrangements, so the park will be a very secure area.

The Council submitted an application for a remediation licence to the EPA in September 2017.

The EPA is expected to make its decision this summer.

Other actions

The Council hopes that contractors will be in place to commence works by Quarter 3, 2019. Once underway, works are projected to take six years to complete. In the meantime, Kildare County Council will expedite the other actions needed to prepare for the remediation, including road upgrades, archaeological investigations, acquiring lands, and site investigations and assessments.

You can review project assessments and licence application documents by clicking on the links below.

•  Environmental Impact Assessment Report (this document was part of both the An Bord Pleanala Approval and EPA Remediation Licence applications)
• EPA licence application documentsThe Project Team will continue to meet with residents and stakeholders over the coming weeks and months to ensure all interested parties are kept fully informed about progress at the site and to answer any questions arising.The Kerdiffstown Landfill remains under the supervision of Kildare County Council, using powers available under Section 56 of the Waste Management Act. The site is managed on a day-to-day basis by a dedicated site manager, a team of security personnel, and other staff to control 'leachate' (the run-off water that percolates through the waste) and landfill gas. Kildare County Council will continue to issue community updates as remedial works on the site take place. For information about works at the site or to arrange a tour of the site, go to www.kerdiffstowncleanup.ie.

*Planning approval is subject to an eight week judicial review.

ENDHead Office: Áras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Naas, Co Kildare. W91 X77F

Email: customercare@kildarecoco.ie