Kingsgrove Graysland Biodiversity

This piece on biodiversity was submitted by one of the residents.

I am a resident of Kingsgrove, Athy, Co. Kildare. We chose this estate and area five years ago because of the potential it offered us for a safe, secure, and healthy lifestyle. An ideal area to raise our children. It’s a well-established estate – the quiet cul-de-sac our home is on provides a safe and secure environment for our children to grow up in. The green areas within our estate provide areas for our children to play on under supervision. And although these areas are the responsibility of Kildare County Council, in the five years I have lived here – they have always been maintained by the Kingsgrove and Graysland residents, an expense that we share because of the lack of support we have received but also because of the pride we have and the love of where we live.

The reason for my submission is to insist on a guarantee that our estate Kingsgrove and Graysland in Athy, Co. Kildare do not lose their green spaces due to potential new housing developments. I believe that everyone deserves a home, a safe, secure roof over their head. I am not against new housing developments because as our population grows so too does the demand for housing. What I am against is the lack of green spaces within housing estates, in both established housing estates and newly built ones. And my submission today is with regard to the potential loss of existing green spaces within my own established housing estate, Kingsgrove.

It is my understanding that the newly developing Glebelands Estate should never have received planning permission to have access through our estate which is over 40 years old. It is also my understanding that there are green spaces within our estate that are potentially at risk because of future housing developments. These green spaces need to be protected. We as residents have spent our time and money maintaining and caring for them – for our own health and wellbeing and for the wellbeing of our children. Personally, it has always been my agenda to one day have a part in developing some of these green spaces into biodiversity-rich spaces – with the addition of trees, plants, shrubs, and flowers. As mentioned the development of housing estates cannot be denied, however, these areas should not be urban jungles – and for every household, there should be minimum public green space available to them within their living area. As cities go greener – seeking opportunities in every nook and cranny, from footpaths to street corners to grow and help nature. Here we are a town, with the opportunity on our doorstep to develop and assist nature and our wellness but instead, we build upon them or drive through them.
Our green spaces need to be protected.

Green spaces within estates are a must for the health and wellbeing of their residents. Green spaces within estates should include areas for children to play safely but should also include areas that are dedicated to providing biodiversity. The Athy Area Plan speaks about carbon footprints, biodiversity, the environment, and the fact that Athy has been pegged as a ‘Self-Sustaining Growth Town’ – well what about the self-sustainable living of its citizens and residents. It is my opinion that the view for Athy should be one of revolution and change – the change that Athy which was once an industrial town can now make waves to become an eco-friendly town. Biodiversity shouldn’t be limited to our local River Barrow and Grand Canal but should exist within each housing estate within the town. Small green spaces within each estate can really pack a punch when it comes to the environmental and health benefits they can offer. With the right planning, these spaces can be self-sustainable, easily managed, and cost-saving (less mowing costs, etc). The benefits they offer the environment by providing bee and butterfly-friendly plants and shrubs are second to none. The health benefits they can provide is a sense of wellbeing, pride, and community. The population profile states that after the 25-44 age bracket comes the 0-14 age bracket – and isn’t this the perfect opportunity to instill deep regard for nature, the environment, and wellbeing in our children.