People asked for views on future of Kerdiffstown landfill

The controversial Kerdiffstown landfill could be turned into a public park or a parcel of agricultural land - but people will have their say.

What happens to the 75-acre site must be decided soon and the An Bord Pleanala and the Environmental Protection Agency must be informed.

Kildare County Council is seeking submissions and observations from the public and interest groups over the next six weeks.

The site has been deemed unsuitable for housing or planting trees with deep roots.

The proposed public park (pictured above) will include landscaping, a play area, a pond and 'wildlife hides'.

The proposed agricultural land option (below) will include rolling meadows, hedgerows and a pond.

The Council's project team is also meeting with the Kerdiffstown Landfill Community Liaison Group as well as the Kerdiffstown Residents Association, Clean Air Naas, the North Kildare Chamber of Commerce and SVP Kerdiffstown House.

The project to transform the landfill site will take 5 to 7 years and the final restored site will comprise a waterproof cap to effectively isolate the waste in order to protect surface water and groundwater, as well as measures to control landfill gas and odours.

The Kerdiffstown Landfill remains under the supervision of the 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 the project progresses.

Maps and drawings of these proposed options can be viewed on Level 2 of the Kildare County Council offices at Áras Chill Dara in Naas on April 13th from 2pm to 7pm, or by visiting http://www.kerdiffstowncleanup.ie.

The consultation period is open from April 13th to May 25th, and you can make your views known to the Council by emailing [email protected] or sending a written submission to: Environment Section, Kildare County Council, Áras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Naas, Co. Kildare.

You can also visit Level 2 of the Kildare County Council Offices tomorrow and filling in a submission form.

For general information about works at the site, go to www.kerdiffstowncleanup.ie.