Council to fight for 'important role' of Newbridge in new regional blueprint

Kildare Co Council is to push the 'important role' of Newbridge in Co Kildare as well in the Midlands region when it makes a submission to the new Regional Spatial Economic Strategy (RSES).

A 200-page draft strategic plan and investment framework for the nine counties in the Eastern and Midlands region was published by the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly in November.

The Regional Assembly has sought submissions/observations from the general public, local authorities and other  stakeholders.

The latest date for submissions on the Draft RSES is January 23.

Kildare Co Council said that the Draft RSES is a strategic plan and investment framework  to shape the development of the region to 2031 and beyond.

The Assembly region covers 12 local authority areas (including Dublin City  Council).

Specific briefings for politicians in the region were  organised by the Regional Assembly and held in Naas and elsewhere in recent weeks.

The Council plans to hold a briefing and discussion session for councillors in Kildare County Council on January 14.

The Council’s said its Planning Department will be preparing a submission regarding  the Draft Strategy on behalf of the council.

Senior Council officials will also make submissions in relation to their particular areas

of responsibility e.g. Transportation, Environment etc.

Councillors can also make their own individual submissions to the Regional Assembly.

A Council spokesperson said: "It is envisaged that the Council’s submission will include the role and future development of the major towns in the county such as Newbridge.

"The Council indicated in earlier submissions to the Assembly that the important  role of Newbridge in the county and in the wider region needed to be recognised."

In the Draft RSES two ‘Key Towns’ are identified in  Co Kildare - Naas in the Hinterland area and Maynooth in the Metropolitan area.

Other large and medium sized towns in Kildare are  classified as ‘Other Towns’ in the Draft Strategy.

 Councillor Mark Lynch Lynch called on the Council's Planning Department to compile a substantial submission on Newbridge to the Eastern Midland Regional Assembly on the Strategy.

He suggested that "Newbridge be reinforced as a as a large  growth town "to rectify its almost total omission" in the document.