Wexford councillor fears Kilkenny counterparts will build new sporting centre ‘where it suits them’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Wexford County Council (WCC) is to work in tandem with its colleagues in Kilkenny to develop a new residential development with sporting facilities on the site of the former Albatros factory in Rosbercon. Approximately one third of the site, which has been cleared of asbestos and other contaminants associated with its former use as a fertiliser plant, is located within the boundaries of the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD) with the rest located in Co Kilkenny.

While WCC is keen to work alongside its neighbours on delivering housing in the area, the sporting facilities will be located on the Kilkenny side of the border. This has caused concerns for one New Ross councillor who has asked whether those facilities can be developed as close to his home town as possible.

Speaking at a special meeting of the council, Councillor Michael Sheehan asked whether WCC could convince those in Kilkenny to put the sporting facilities directly on the border.

“Can we put in a resolution that, if Kilkenny County Council (KCC) is going to start developing sporting facilities, that they be at the southern end of the site – close to New Ross?” he asked. “We need to make sure that any community and sporting facilities developed there should benefit us.”

Meanwhile, the cathaoirleach of the NRMD, Cllr John Dwyer, feared that the site remained too dangerous to live on.

“The Albatros site was heavily contaminated, reports confirm that,” he said. “There was asbestos detected on the site. Can I receive some reassurance that those issues are not going to be forgotten about?”

Chief executive, Eddie Taaffe, quickly allayed those fears.

“A substantial amount of work has been done there, the site is now clear and any contaminants have been removed.”

With regards to Cllr Sheehan’s request, director of planning Liz Hore said she would consult with her contemporaries in KCC and “make them aware of our objectives”.

However, director of roads, Eamonn Hore, was of the opinion that new houses needed to be built closer to New Ross so that residents would be able to use the town as a shopping destination.

“We need housing closer to the town centre. it doesn’t make any sense to put sporting facilities there and then houses at the back of the site,” he said.

With Cllr Sheehan fearing KCC will put the sporting facilities “where it suits them”, it was left to Mr Taaffe to remind him that it was far too early to be discussing the location of houses and facilities on a site which had not yet been approved for planning.

“We don’t need to get into this yet, all we need to do now is propose that the site will have sufficient sporting facilities.”

Meanwhile, a proposal to zone land at the bottom of The Maudlins for housing has been approved despite the reservations of some council officials. The area in question, which is opposite Scully’s Pub, is considered a flood risk by WCC but Cllr John Fleming was adamant it can be earmarked for residential use.

“That location is within walking distance of schools and shops, amenities, I can’t see any risk of flooding, it should be zoned for residential use,” he said.

“We have looked at that area in great detail,” said senior planner Deirdre Kirwan, “it is prone to flooding and is part of a flood zone. We have reached our target of zoned land for housing but we would be prepared to look at it as part of the next County Development Plan.”

“If that floods we may need Noah’s Arc,” replied a sceptical Cllr Fleming.

“At the moment if you look at the population requirements we have to plan for New Ross, there is sufficient zoned land in the proposed plan,” added Mr Taaffe.

Despite this, following a show of hands, a proposal to change the area in question to residential use was approved by councillors.