Meeting on Brannockstown project

Brannockstown villagers are to meet with the developers of a proposed project which will see a housing and commercial development 'breach the walls' of the Harristown Demesne.



At the AGM of the local Community Council, Pastor Robert Dunlop outlined the details of a meeting which a delegation from the council's committee had with the developers on February 22.

The developers are builder Terry McGoff and Harristown owner Hubert Beaumont, and the proposed project would involve the building of eight 'substantial' homes on the Ballymore Road, and a row of 'town houses' on the village side.

The development, which would include a 'cafe' and a shop, would mean that the corner between the village and the Ballymore road would be taken off, and a 'sweep' of buildings and parkland would replace the old wall. The project would also involve the provision of car parking.

"Some of the land will be landscaped as a community park," Pastor Dunlop said, and then outlined what the delegation believed were key issues for Brannockstown.

"First, what would the removal of a substantial part of the demesne wall mean to the village? Two, are 'town houses' appropriate to an historic village like ours? Three, is 'social' housing to be included?"

Other concerns relate to the position and type of parking arrangements, and the location and type of the 'cafe' and shop.

Pastor Dunlop said it was the view of the delegation that the developers should put their proposals before a full meeting of local people, and they had agreed to this.

"As the outgoing committee, we are encouraging everyone to involve with the developers," he said. "There is no doubt that there will be change, but let us see that what happens does not fly in the face of our heritage."

Steve Schwer noted that in the County Development Plan passed by Kildare County Council last summer, the area where development is zoned at Harristown goes all the way down to the demesne entrance.

"With this proposal, they're going to develop half of it ... but the rest will surely follow."

It was agreed that the developers should be given a choice of dates for the proposed meeting, the first option being the Wednesday night of the 22nd March.

Brian Byrne.