Lenister Leader 4 Sept 2012

Astroturf pitches & BMX track planned for outskirts of Naas

PLANS are afoot to develop astroturf pitches and a BMX bike track on a greenfield site outside Naas.
 
A four-and-a-half acre plot at the IDA Business Park at Blessington Road (behind the AIB building) has been earmarked as the location for the development.
 
The planning application, made in the name of Conor Carruthers, is for five pitches of 600 square metres, a two-storey clubhouse occupying 361 square metres as well as a BMX track measuring some 340 metres.
 
It also embraces a smaller BMX clubhouse, floodlighting and 129 car park spaces.
 
The application was prepared by Naas-based consulting engineer Conor Furey.
 
 

The Vacant Site in Naas.
 
 
The Leader was unable to make contact with Mr. Carruthers and it is not clear how much the project will cost or the potential for job creation.
 
The IDA has already indicated it has no objection to the plan provided it meets regulatory requirements such as planning permission.
 
A traffic report compiled as part of the application indicates that the junction which serves the area can deal with the additional traffic.
 
The report used traffic flows for a similar facility at Red Lane, Newbridge, for comparison.
 
“The junction arrangements to access the site can operate satisfactorily in accommodating the levels and types of traffic likely to be generated by the development,” the report says.
 
The report also notes that the access road to the business park ends in a cul de sac adjacent to the site and “this could form part of a possible future Naas link road.”
 
It further suggests that levels of car ownership will not fluctuate significantly so traffic growth will be limited.
 
Submissions about the plan can be made by September 24 and Naas Town Council is expected to decide on the application by October 15.

- Paul O’Meara

Story published HERE.