The Irish Georgian Society owners of Castletown House have questions about a neighbouring development.
Minister for Industry and Commerce, Justin Keating opened the showhouse at a new scheme in Kildare. The development is being described as a new town and an extension of Celbridge.
It'll be called Castletown, taking its name from the adjoining Castletown House.
Castletown House was built in the 18th century, is now owned by the Irish Georgian Society and attracts around 15,000 visitors every year. The society claims that the new development of four hundred houses will ruin the approach to Castletown House. When the original planning permission was given, it was intended that the land would be developed as an equestrian centre and not housing. The original plans were dropped in place of the private development of housing.
According to the society, the new home owners will have to use the main gates of Castletown House. There are plans to build a total of 1,200 houses as part of the new town, which will increase the population of the area by about 20,000 people. The minister said that he did not want to get involved in a row with the Georgian Society and claimed that the builders had approached the development in a humane and civilised manner. He does not see Castle Town as a threat to Castletown House.
Houses in the new development will vary in size and design and will range in price from £7,000 to £14,000.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 1 October 1975. The reporter is Colm Connolly.
