THE proposed demolition of Kill International Equestrian Centre in Co Kildare has been refused by Kildare County Council on the grounds that the property is zoned for equestrian use as part of the County Development Plan 2017 - 2023.

Developers by the name of Newtownsland (Kill) Limited had submitted plans in late September for the demolition and removal of all existing buildings at the 34-acre property near Kill. The planning notice proposed knocking three arenas, the American barn, two ancillary sheds and a large equestrian walker.

The refusal notice appeared on the Kildare County Council website on Tuesday, and stated: “The proposed development is located in an area where the stated Zoning objective in the Kildare County Development Plan (Volume 2, Kill Small Town Plan) 2017 – 2023, is “Equine – To develop Kill Equestrian Centre.”

The notice said the proposed development does not show “any proposals for the replacement or for the continued use of the subject site as an equestrian centre. Accordingly, it is considered that the proposed development would be contrary to the provisions of the Kildare County Development Plan 2017-2023 and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

The property was sold to Galway property developer Ray Grehan in April 2017 for a reported €2 million, from American bank Goldman Sachs, who had taken over the loans. Grehan is believed to be interested in redeveloping the site to build houses.

The facility faced major flooding in 2011 when owned by the Flannelly family and a lengthy battle with the insurance company followed. Three arenas (two indoor and one outdoor) were destroyed in the flood when the centre was submerged in one metre of contaminated water from the river bed. The only arena unaffected in the flood was the main Olympic Arena, which played host to the majority of Grands Prix at the venue.