Fine Gael Kildare South TD and Minister of State Martin Heydon has welcomed the most recent update from Kildare County Council in relation to the proposed Cultural Quarter Public Realm Projects for Newbridge.
Minister Heydon says “This proposal has been in planning for some time, with initial Government funding under the URDF fund secured to progress tender and design stages. The following is the recent progress update that I received from Kildare County Council on the various elements of the cultural quarter project. It is planned that Kildare County Council will Tender for a design team to bring County Library to Part 8, and if approved to detailed design and tender package stage so that it is shovel ready for additional URDF funding.
- A Feasibility study is being commissioned for potential use of concept buildings in the proposed St Conleth’s Square. The Feasibility study will look to examine the potential of a National Climate Action Training Centre of Excellence & Research at this location in partnership with Bord na Mona, SEAI, Teagasc, Maynooth University, IFA, Department of Agriculture and Kildare County Council. The Training & Research Centre would be aimed at Primary, Secondary, and Third level students, along with Public and Private Sector including the business and farming sector. If the feasibility study is positive, this project will move to the Part 8 planning process very quickly.
- Temporary trial of Market Square and George’s Street as a multiuse cultural and dinning space to be trialled when restrictions allow. Designs are being drawn up for this presently. This trail will be done over the summer and autumn and will inform the final design for this area which will also go to Part 8 planning.