Kildare County Council publishes Renewal Master Plan for Kildare Town

Kildare County Council has today published a Master Plan for Kildare Town. 

Members of the Kildare Newbridge Municipal District joined members of the Kildare County Council executive team to launch the plan for the future development of Kildare Town, which was funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the 2019 Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

The Master Plan for Kildare Town identifies key sustainable development projects, all of which fall within five overarching themes of good practice in delivering good growth. They are:

• Connectivity, Sustainability and Accessibility.
• Deliver a balanced and appealing town centre that feels safe and usable.
• Realise Kildare Town’s potential as a cultural destination.
• Renew and celebrate Kildare Town’s heritage and identity.
• Create a centre for opportunity and investment in a growing rural town.

Some of the key local opportunities identified in the plan include:

Market Square

The traditional commercial and social centre of Kildare, under the plan would see the development of a flexible public space and pedestrian friendly experience as part of a renewed more usable town square with re balancing of pedestrian and car movement.

Nugent Street Car Park

Public realm improvements in Nugent Street car park outlined in the plan would improve navigability to Market Square and increase safety through improved lighting, signage and landscaping.

Old Burgage Plots

The initial public realm proposal for the plots leverages the loss of parking from Market while creating a new landscaped pedestrian route from Bride Street to Market Square.  In the longer term, the plan sets out opportunities for the site to be developed for cultural/commercial uses which re-interpret the original burgage plots.

Streetscape Regeneration

Initiate a ‘Beautiful Street Initiative’, encouraging the formation of Terrace/Street partners to carry out analysis and proposals for works to cumulatively enhance their section of the streetscape; including improvements to building facades, the reinstatement of historic features and the repair or enhancement of existing shop fronts.

Cycle & Pedestrian Network Enhancement

Despite Kildare being a walkable town, it currently offers a poor pedestrian experience and little cycling infrastructure.  The plan aims to develop a Kildare Cycle Network Study, to identify a network to make Kildare a more cycle friendly town and will set out the envisaged cycling network for Kildare. 

Metropolitan Workshop Architecture and Urbanism, were commissioned by Kildare County Council to develop the urban design led plan.  Jonny McKenna of Metropolitan Workshop said, “Building upon the enthusiasm displayed through several consultation events, Metropolitan Workshop are excited to see Kildare County Council publish the Kildare Town Renewal Plan. The plan focuses on developing a clear, more sustainable and better-connected and vibrant town centre with pedestrians and cyclist at its heart. Our approach is to enhance what is there and celebrate the multi-layered town centre through a series of unlocking moves.  The strategy is supported by a series of “delivery projects”, the first of which will be the rejuvenation of the Market Square.”

Speaking about the plan for Kildare Town, Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council said, ““We very much welcome the launch of the Kildare Town Renewal Master Plan. The publication of a Masterplan for Kildare Town represents the culmination of the work and effort by Kildare County Council, in collaboration with a dedicated and collaborative community. This plan will help to guide the sustainable growth of this significant, heritage town.”

The Kildare Town Renewal Master Plan are available to view in full on the website, visit https://kildarecoco.ie/AllServices/Housing/PublicRealm/TownRenewalMasterPlans/KildareTownRenewalMasterplan2024/