The Quadrant
The Northwest Quadrant is the name given to an area of c.300 hectare that extends from Naas Harbour to the M7 motorway, with an eastern edge along the Grand Canal and a western edge along the New Caragh Road. The site has assets that make it a great location for a large urban extension to Naas, including the Grand Canal, being next to the Town Centre, proximity to the M7, Sallins & Naas Railway Station and much more.
Why is the Northwest Quadrant (Naas) Important?
Naas is important to Kildare County Council as one of the two key locations for housing supply at scale / Key Town growth in the County (see the Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029 here).
At c.300 hectares the Northwest Quadrant is the largest development site in County Kildare and one of the largest in Ireland. Its development will provide a significant boost to the critical mass of Naas and provide new neighbourhoods with homes, jobs and the facilities and infrastructure required to meet the needs of the development area, offering an excellent quality of life and providing the opportunity for a low-carbon lifestyle.
The Framework Masterplan will have a strong synergy with the Naas Canal Quarter Masterplan here.
A Masterplan for the Northwest Quadrant (Naas)
Kildare County Council has been working closely with AECOM Ireland Limited to prepare a “Framework Masterplan” to provide a development framework for the Northwest Quadrant in Naas, including consideration of infrastructure, phasing and delivery options. Kildare County Council is very ambitious and aims to ensure that the development of the Northwest Quadrant will be an exemplar sustainable urban extension for Naas and County Kildare that exceeds current national best practice.
Preparation of the Northwest Quadrant Framework Masterplan got underway in Q4 2024, with the completion of the Baseline Study. The Framework Masterplan was finalised in May 2026.
The Framework Masterplan will be given statutory weight through the provisions of the new Planning and Development Act 2024.
Integration of the Framework Masterplan into the statutory planning framework
Kildare County Council aims to integrate the Framework Masterplan into the statutory planning framework in 2026 by means of Variation No.5 to the Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029 under the Planning and Development Act 2024. The statutory plan-making process commences on Friday 5 June and the plan is scheduled for adoption by elected members of Kildare County Council in December 2026. Kildare County Council’s consultation portal (including the Variation, Framework Masterplan and supporting documents) can be found here: Variation No. 5: Northwest Quadrant.
Key Framework Masterplan ingredients
The Framework Masterplan establishes a development framework that will seek the delivery of a large mixed-use urban district of Naas that will combine a new residential community with all supporting and enabling infrastructure.
Key ingredients of the Framework Masterplan include providing for:
- 4,000 new homes to provide for an additional 11,000 residents;
- Space for about 5,000 new jobs;
- Enabling infrastructure to unlock the development potential of the site, including streets, bridges, and drainage.
The plan for the new community most importantly includes the supporting infrastructure that its new residents will need, including parks and playgrounds, sports grounds and facilities, schools, creches, community facilities, health facilities, neighbourhood and local centres to provide focal points and services for the community.
What happens when the plan is adopted
When adopted the Framework Masterplan will define how the Quadrant will be developed between now and when it is completed (it's build-out). Kildare County Council aims to accelerate the delivery of the Northwest Quadrant (Naas) so that its build out can be achieved in less than 20 years. KCC will be collaborating with a wide range of state and semi-state agencies, developers, housing and utility providers to make this happen. Kildare County Council will also be taking on a delivery role to promote and co-ordinate infrastructure delivery and deliver key infrastructure projects itself and in collaboration with other agencies / developers.
The project has the following key milestones:
