Councillor William Durkan

I: Clane-Maynooth MD: January 2026

Tag: planning

  • Clane-Maynooth MD: January 2026

    The following motions and questions were raised for discussion in the Jan 09th meeting of the MD:

    Motion – Councillor William Durkan
    That the council conducts an identification of all sites within the municipal district that can benefit significantly from a town gateway project to slow traffic and clarify boundaries and provide an estimate of costing.
    Report: Strategic Projects and Public Realm (SPPR) have published several Town and Village Masterplans, most of which include the provision of ‘Gateway’ signage on approach roads. Their inclusion in the Masterplan provides leverage to funding applications for Town and Village Schemes, RRDF schemes etc. The Gateways are designed ‘in house’, working with the Community and our Municipal District Engineer to determine an appropriate location – what is acceptable and what works in each area given that they are situated on the road network. In 2023 Gateways were delivered on approach roads in Prosperous and Kilcock. Prosperous had signs erected on both sides of the road at 2 locations – Allenwood to Prosperous Road and Prosperous to Clane Road (Curryhills). The process was carried out under Section 38 of the Roads Act in consultation with An Garda Síochána and the Transport team of Kildare County Council. A mini tender competition also took place for the civil works required for the installation piece.
    The total cost for 4 signs at Prosperous was €100k of which €75k was received through Town & Village Funding and €25k through LPT. Project proposals within the Masterplans do not have funding assigned to them, SPPR actively pursues funding through grants or LPT requests. Given our extensive work programme for 2026, SPPR do not have the resources or funding to complete a survey of all sites in the Municipal District area. Our priority will be to pursue funding to aid the delivery of the project proposals included in existing Town and Village Renewal Plans.

    To Note: Further discussion on this topic requested the identification and costing of specific projects that may be delivered in the short-medium term. It was noted that upcoming speed limit reviews in urban centres is an ideal opportunity to revisit this topic, and this will be raised in the coming months

    Question – Councillor William Durkan
    Can the council confirm if it has explored the provision of a playground in Coill Dubh, and provide an update on potential suitability?
    Report: Coill Dubh was not included as a location for a playground in the 2018-2028 Play Strategy and therefore no work has been done on locating a playground in the village.

    Notes: Further discussion on this topic requested a briefing of progress on the current Play Strategy projects to identify remaining projects. It was also noted that as an updated Play Strategy will be formulated in the coming years, this specific project will be suggested for inclusion at that point.

    Motion – Councillor William Durkan
    That the council reopens the submission portal for the Clogherinkoe Serviced Sites scheme to facilitate a new round of expressions of interest in January 2026.
    Report: Under the Ready to Build Scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers (self-builders).
    These sites will be available at a discount on the market value of the site for the building of a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser. For more details on the scheme please visit the council website here.
    Kildare County Council has previously made 7 serviced sites available in Clogherinkoe. These sites were initially advertised for sale in November 2024.
    Due to a poor response, the sites were readvertised on 27 January 2025, again there was limited uptake.
    Prior to advertising the sites, considerable work was carried out to raise awareness and interest in the sites such as a leaflet drop, information sessions in the local school hall, radio campaign on KFM, local newspaper ads, advertising in the local parish newsletter, local GAA social media, Kildare County Council social media, as well as working with the Municipal District members. Part of the criteria for these serviced sites was that an applicant had to provide proof of living for 16 years within a 5km radius area of the Serviced Sites.
    The recently advertised Variation to the County Development Plan (CDP) and more specifically page 41-42 of the document available here, seeks to insert a table specific to serviced sites. The table sets out that an applicant must provide proof of residence for a 10-year period and be within a 10 km radius. It is hoped to bring the variation to the members to the January 2026 meeting.

    If the variation is approved by the members, it should open the sites to more potential applicants. The council can publish the statutory notice and open the portal in Quarter 1 2026. The council will again work with the Municipal District members to raise the awareness of serviced sites (including the updated requirements, if the members approve the CDP variation), we will also work with the Council’s Communications Officer to focus a social media campaign.

    Notes: Further discussion noted the welcome suggested changes to eligibility criteria and noted the importance of progressing a new application window in the coming month, pending variation approval. The importance of an intensive promotion campaign to accompany a new submission window was also stressed.

    Question – Councillor William Durkan
    Can the council provide an update on the award of tender process in the case of Clane Library?
    Report: Tender assessment completed with a preferred contractor ready for appointment. Next stage funding application has been submitted to the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for consideration and approval. A contractor will be appointed for an intended start of early 2026 following receipt of department approval in the new year.

  • Full Council: May 2025

    The following was raised for discussion at the May meeting of the Full Kildare County Council on Monday 26/05/2025

    Motion: Councillors Fintan Brett, Paul Ward, Brendan Wyse, Tim Durkan, Daragh Fitzpatrick, William Durkan and Kevin Duffy


    That the council commits to bi-monthly in person meetings to address and work through Unauthorised Developments with members.


    Report: The Executive notes the request from the elected members for a commitment to a bi-monthly in person meeting to address and work through unauthorised developments in the County.

    In this regard the growing concerns of the members relating to a significant increase in alleged unauthorised developments throughout the County are shared by the Executive who have initiated a number of processes and procedural improvements with the aim of addressing these concerns, including the development of new IT systems, triaging enforcement cases as received and careful allocation of complaints by matching the complexity and severity of the case in question with the experience and expertise of enforcement team. Indeed, we have also recently supplemented the Planning Enforcement Team in Kildare County Council which now totals 9 full-time staff.


    For context, the Planning Enforcement Section carries out its enforcement functions in accordance with the provisions of Part VIII of The Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended. Such provisions are an Executive function of the Local Authority with Schedule 15 section 151 setting out details in regard to the functions to be carried out by a Managers Order including ‘a decision to take legal proceedings’.

    The timeframes involved in the enforcement process are set out as follows:

    In addition to the above, the members will be aware that Alleged Offenders are provided with 6 months to remedy the unauthorised situation after which recurse to the courts is sought as soon as practicably possible.


    Notwithstanding the above referenced improvements, an additional objective of the Planning Enforcement Team is to establish a multi-disciplinary approach, with relevant state agencies, where a shared and collective aim will be to address specific cases of alleged unauthorised development and serial offenders. Such an approach is in the early stages of development with initial engagements providing a positive basis for dealing with specific cases currently in the system.
    Following on from the above, recent process improvements and measures are also being currently assessed for their potential to inform and supplement the level of information provided to the members through the monthly CE Reports. Such information and statistics may include details in regard to New Consultations/Cases, the number of cases closed, enforcement notices served, warning letters served, and cases referred to solicitors for review and legal proceedings.

    Noting the above and the significant workload of the Planning Team, the members will recall the Planning Functions Briefing for full council that was held in early 2025 whichoutlined the processes and procedures involved in all aspects of the planning function including enforcement process as well as a number of case examples and timelines.


    This initial briefing was a resounding success and as such, and in light of this motion, the Planning Department are agreeable to engage with the members through a further briefing. It should be noted however that while specifics relating to alleged unauthorised development files cannot be discussed, updates in regard to the status of active cases from a broad perspective can be provided.

    Note: Based on discussions in relation to this motion, it is expected that the executive will meet with Councillors in the coming month(s) to further discuss approaches to this topic.

  • Clane-Maynooth MD: May 2025

    The following questions and motions were raised at the Clane -Maynooth Municipal District meeting on Friday May 2nd 2025.

    Motion – Councillor William Durkan
    That the council provides a costing for upgrade works in the case of Clane Playground and provides an update on any progress to secure funding for such works.
    Report: A costing for the upgrade of Clane Playground will be prepared. Any funding required will have to be considered for the 2026 budget.

    Motion – Councillor William Durkan
    That the council inspects the condition of all signage in Clane Town with a view to cleaning and improving overall presentation.
    Report: Municipal District office will arrange to clean the signs in Clane Town.

    Question – Councillor William Durkan
    Can the council outline plans to improve pedestrian access from the Boreen Road to Straffan Town Centre, in line with the 2024 Straffan Village Renewal Masterplan?

    Report: There is no funding available to advance the Straffan Village Renewal Master Plan.

    Note: Following discussion on this topic, and related topics brought by other members, KCC agreed to visit the site for inspection.

    Question – Councillor William Durkan
    Can the council provide an update on the current number of vacant properties under Kildare County Council ownership within the Clane LEA and what actions are being taken to address same?
    Report: The monthly vacant house report provides info on the number of vacant properties by Municipal District. As of 28 April 2025, there are currently 36 units of Kildare County Council housing stock within the Clane Maynooth Municipal District that are currently vacant. This represents approximately 0.5 % of our total housing stock.

    The breakdown is as follows:

    Carbury 1
    Clane 10
    Coill Dubh 2
    Derrinturn 2
    Kilcock 4
    Kilmeague 3
    Maynooth 3
    Prosperous 5
    Rathcoffey 1
    Robertstown 4
    Straffan 1


    Of these 36 properties, 26 are currently assigned to Clerks of Works for scheduling of repairs required to bring them back into the stock available for allocation.
    These are at various stages of delivery (inspection/scheduling/procurement/construction etc.)

    This leaves the remaining 10 that will be assigned to our Clerks of Works for scheduling as the works are completed on the other units.

  • Clane Maynooth MD: April 2025

    Please find below the list of motions and questions raised for discussion at the Clane-Maynooth Municipal District on April 4th 2025.

    Motion – Councillor William Durkan
    That the council installs additional accessible parking bays at Timahoe National School (x2) and Prosperous National School (x1).

    Report: The Municipal District Engineer will assess this request at each school and subject to funding being available, the request can be progress through the required process.

    Note: Further discussion on this topic during the meeting was very positive for both cases. In particular, Timahoe National School was already inspected and no issues to delivery identified. While some further planning was needed in the case of Prosperous, no significant issues were expected.

    Motion – Councillor William Durkan
    That the council inspects Clonuff Lane, Broadford (L10021), to review the road condition and consider inclusion on the 2025 Works Programme.

    Report: This road will be assessed and if works are required, they will be included in the Road Works Programme 2025, subject to funding being available.

    Question – Councillor William Durkan
    Can the council provide an update on when a timeline for individual school zone marking works within the municipal district will be available?

    Report: The members allocated LPT funding to these works at a special meeting in March. The Municipal District Office is currently preparing to engage with the Road Markings Contractor to carry out the required markings at each school. It is anticipated that these markings will be carried out during May and June, but the works are weather dependant.

    Question – Councillor William Durkan
    Can the council provide an update on the identification and prioritisation of planned bus stop improvement works within the municipal district?

    Report: There are over 500 existing bus stop locations in County Kildare. Kildare County Council is working with the National Transport Authority (NTA) to review and prioritise improvements to bus stop infrastructure. When this review is complete, a list of potential bus shelters and other improvements for locations will be prepared and appropriate public consultation undertaken. The provision of stop poles and associated timetable information at existing bus stops on local link routes are being prioritised to link rural communities to more urban areas.