An Taisce has lodged an appeal against Kildare County Council’s decision to grant planning permission for an electric vehicle charging hub and service station development outside Naas.
The Petrogas Group, operator of the Applegreen brand, received approval to develop the former Cemex site on the Dublin Road, which would include charging facilities for 36 electric vehicles, a service station, drive-thru coffee unit, distribution centre, and HGV/bus parking and fueling facilities.
In its appeal to An Bord Pleanála, An Taisce’s Heritage Officer Ian Lumley argued that the development would “create a lock into car-based development and undermine the function of existing urban and village centres.” Lumley contended that while the plan includes EV charging points, it would ultimately “worsen private car based mobility and congestion generation and undermine sustainable car use and transport objectives.”
The contested development forms part of a larger masterplan involving the adjoining Donnelly Mirrors site. Planning consultant David Mulcahy had told the council the proposal would provide “much-needed EV charging facilities for motorists using the N7/M7” while creating significant employment opportunities for Naas residents.
Kildare County Council approved the project after Petrogas submitted revised plans that reduced the height, scale, and footprint of the proposed distribution centre. The council deemed the redevelopment of the “existing and unsightly brownfield site” appropriate and acceptable.
According to The Journal, the proposed development received support from County Kildare Chamber of Commerce CEO Sinead Ronan, who said it “represents a substantial improvement to the entrance to Naas town” and would revitalize a disused site while stimulating economic growth.
However, An Taisce’s appeal claims the development fails to capitalize on “the opportunity to create a high quality landmark gateway development” and appears “piecemeal and unclear without a cohesive design language.”
An Bord Pleanála is expected to issue a decision on the appeal in August.