From Wasteland to Parkland. Kildare granted €4.5million to transform a landfill into a park

April 13th 2017

4.5 million euro has been made available to turn a 75 acre landfill site at Kerdiffstown, just outside Naas, into a public park.

Kildare North T.D., James Lawless confirmed funds have been made available by central government for the remediation project.

Mr. Lawless was unsure whether the amount would fully go towards the park stating that Kildare Count Council had an ambition plan in place to rehabilitate and develop the site but he was,” not sure if this work is provided for in the Department plan as I note the allocation has been reduced.”

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, Denis Naughten clarified the situation by confirming that the money had been ring-fenced for the project, “making it [Kildare County Council] the largest single beneficiary under the subhead by some distance.”

The landfill site was closed after a major fire in 2011 caused serious environmental damage around the area. Kildare County Council took control of the site in May, 2015.

Image result for Kerdiffstown fireJenzoph Ltd. were fined €20 million in 2015 for causing pollution at the landfill. They were found guilty of disposing of waste that caused environmental pollution and were also convicted of holding or disposing of waste which was likely to create environmental pollution.

The company operating the site, Nephin Company Limited, was found to be in financial difficulties.

A multi-million euro clean up operation was initiated by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The move has strikes parallels with other projects. Recently, the residents of Oliver Bond street, in inner-city Dublin, gained a huge victory when Dublin City Council decided to transfer a site on Bridgefoot Street to the Parks Department of Dublin City Council.

The site had been left  vacant since 2003 after apartments were demolished. Plans are now afoot to turn it into an inner-city park.

About the Author

Eric Maher

Eric Maher is a contributor to the Green News. He has a Masters in Anglo-Irish Literature and Drama from UCD.