Community Impact Audit Sought For Those Who Live Beside Castledermot GAA, Amid Plans For Relocation

Thursday, 23 July 2026 14:40

By Daniel Maher

The club is currently located across from these estates

A community impact audit has been sought for the Abbeylands/William Pearse Terrace area of Castledermot as part of the planning
permission application on the rezoned land for the local GAA club.

The club is currently located across from these estates, and there are local concerns that there will be a lack of amenities in this part of Castledermot when the grounds are moved.

Speaking on Kildare Today, Labour Councillor for Athy MD Mark Leigh accepts that some people aren't happy with the plans to move the GAA grounds:

"These people that live in those estates have been used to having the amenity across from them for many years now, we did rezone it in April, and some people up there are not happy with what's after happening that the land has been rezoned."

He added that "Castledermot GAA have huge plans to move to the north of the town behind the new park, the people that live there are just worried that there's going to be a lack of amenities in that part of the town [where the GAA is currently situated]".

In response KCC have confirmed that it is a requirement that where planning applications are received for housing developments on appropriately zoned lands, that the Planning Authority will require in all instances that a Social Infrastructure Audit is prepared to accompany the planning application.

They added that "commensurate and pro- rata social infrastructure is also proposed and delivered in tandem with the provision of new housing".

The full interview can be heard below: