A public consultation has opened regarding the transformation of the Naas Canal Quarter in County Kildare.

The Naas Canal Quarter Masterplan consultation will provide crucial feedback on how the the underused Canal Quarter can be converted into a vibrant, lively and mixed-use place that makes provision for the entire community, including young people and children.

"This is an exciting time for Naas," said Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council.

"With masterplans for the Naas North-West Quadrant, the Town Centre, and now the Canal Quarter, we have a unique opportunity to create vibrant, inclusive spaces that reflect the aspirations of our community. We want to hear your ideas to help refine and shape the vision for the Canal Quarter."

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Key development opportunities for the project include:

• The Harbour Area – Envisioned as a leisure and civic hub, featuring new buildings with ground-floor hospitality and local services, residential spaces above and areas for community gatherings.

• Ecological Park – A preserved green space on the island site, offering natural habitats, a children’s play area, and a proposed pedestrian and cycle bridge connecting it to the harbour.

• Abbey Street – A reimagined creative and cultural hub, enhancing existing cultural activities and redeveloping key sites to transform it into a vibrant, dynamic destination.

The proposals include a mix of short-term, low-cost initiatives, such as temporary uses for vacant sites and smaller scale public realm enhancements, as well as long-term projects like redeveloping sites and infrastructure improvements. These efforts aim to revitalise the area while maintaining its unique character and heritage.

The consultation will close at 5pm on Friday, March 7, and can be accessed here.

Additionally, a drop-in event will take place at Naas Library, W91 E1RT, on Wednesday, February 26, between 2pm and 8pm.

For more information, contact [email protected].