Significant update released for Kildare housing project

Kildare County Council’s plans for the development were queried by two local councillors

By Ciarán Mather Published 25th Jun 2026, 12:00 BST Significant update released for Kildare housing project | FILE PHOTOGRAPH / PIXABAY Kildare County Council’s plans for the development were queried by two local councillors Sign up to our Kildare Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Kildare Live within your account.

Kildare County Council (KCC) has released a significant update regarding a housing project planned for one County Kildare region.

The information was provided to two local councillors at the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting, which took place on Wednesday, June 17 last.

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The topic of the housing project arose during the latter half of this meeting, when Fine Gael Cllrs Peggy and Tracey O’Dwyer submitted the following joint question to KCC: “Can KCC confirm if there has been any update on the residential site at Rickardstown, Newbridge, in light of the recent decision not to progress the Social Housing Public Private Partnership (PPP) Bundle 3 development?”

The question was submitted by Fine Gael Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer (LEFT) and her party colleague Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer (RIGHT) | FILE PHOTOGRAPHS In response, KCC said via the report presented at the meeting: “While the Rickardstown site was previously considered for delivery under the PPP programme (Bundle 6), it has since been determined by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage that it is not suitable for progression under that delivery model.

“Notwithstanding this, the site remains under active consideration by KCC for the delivery of housing; the current focus is on assessing the optimal housing mix for the site, including the provision of both social and affordable housing, and determining the most suitable delivery mechanism.

“This includes consideration of alternative delivery models, including direct or indirect delivery.”

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KCC continued: “At this stage, the project has not yet progressed to the Part 8 statutory planning process.

“Preparatory work is ongoing to inform the preferred development approach, taking account of site constraints, housing need, and policy objectives, whilst at the same time optimising the use of the planning and design work carried out to date.

“Once a preferred delivery strategy is agreed, the project will proceed through the appropriate approval processes, including Part 8 planning, in due course.”

KCC concluded its report by assuring the councillors that it ‘remains committed’ to advancing the development of the Rickardstown site, and asserting that it will provide further updates to elected members ‘as the project progresses and greater clarity emerges regarding delivery arrangements and timelines’.

Both Cllr Peggy O’Dwyer and Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer told KCC that they accepted the update contained within the report.

In addition, following this meeting, Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer made a guest appearance on radio station KFM, where she said that she welcomed the update.

“It's good news that the project hasn't been cancelled, which was our original thought and the original messaging that was coming out,” she told KFM.

Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer further said: “The way that it's funded will probably be different, and the way it is built will probably change.”

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Related topics: Kildare County Council Kildare Housing Kildare Politics Cllr Peggy O’Dwyer Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer Sign up to our Kildare Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Kildare Live within your account.