Protected structure status sought for building in Newbridge, County Kildare

Protected structure status is being sought for one building in Newbridge.

Kildare County Council (KCC) was told about the request at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting, which was held on Wednesday, April 17 last.

Fine Gael councillor Peggy O'Dwyer asked KCC: "Can the council confirm at what stage the listing of the former Reading and Recreational Officers Quarter's with Bord Na Móna ownership is at, under the Record of Protected Structures?"

KCC told Cllr O'Dwyer regarding her question: "A Planning Authority may add or delete a structure from its Record of Protected Structures (RPS) through either a review or variation of its development plan as set out in Section 12 of the Act or under prescribed procedures laid out under Section 55 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended).

"Both of the above are statutory processes which require a Planning Authority to determine the special interest of the structure under one or more of the following: architectural; historical; archaeological; artistic; cultural; scientific; technical; social."

Fine Gael Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer (File photograph).

KCC continued: "A Planning Authority, through a detailed assessment of individual structures, must
decide whether a structure is worthy of inclusion in the RPS by identifying the characteristics of special interest which would merit its inclusion.

"As with all statutory processes, these are subject to challenge through the courts.

"Given that the RPS was recently reviewed as part of the broader two-year review of the Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029, there are currently no proposals to add (or delete) structures to the RPS," KCC concluded.

It was also heard that KCC would seek further clarification for Cllr O'Dwyer in relation to the issue.

Needs of vulnerable road users in Newbridge must be considered, local rep tells council

The comments were heard at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting

BACKGROUND

The building was originally constructed as a reading and recreation building for the British Army in about 1880, and two detached dining rooms were added in 1912.

The barracks were later handed over to the National Army on 16 May 1922, and in 1924, the barracks were closed, and it became the responsibility of the Board of Works.

In the 1940s, the reading and recreation rooms were converted into offices for Bord na Móna’s Civil Engineering section and a clinic for the Medical Officer.

In 1990, the buildings became Bord na Mona’s new Peat Research Centre and was formally opened on 24 May 1990.