HomeMy WebLinkAbout2660198 - Report Received from Internal Staff
Planning Report
To: Planning Department Reference: 26/60198 ESB Innovation ROI Limited
McCaugheys Service Station, Broomfield
From: Roisin Moore, Roads
Subject: Planning Application Report
– N2 Ardee to Castleblayney
Road Scheme
Date: 28/5/2026
Following a review of the planning documents submitted, please note the following comment in relation to
the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road Scheme;
Monaghan County Council is working in partnership with Louth County Council and in association with
Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to develop a scheme to upgrade a 32km section of the N2/A5 Dublin-
Derry Road. The proposed project is in Counties Monaghan and Louth, between Ardee and Castleblayney.
This project is called the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road Scheme. This is an important project to enhance
key North/South and Regional connectivity and to improve road safety.
A Preferred Route Corridor has been selected for the scheme, and the proposed application is within that
corridor. The project has progressed to Phase 3 of the TII design process (Design & Environmental Evaluation),
which involves further development of the scheme, including design of the road, identifying the landtake
required, junction design and the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment. The Phase 3 design
process commenced in 2021. An indicative design for the road was published on the project website
www.N2MonaghanLouth.ie in February 2023. Funding is not currently available to complete the Phase 3
design phase, and design work has been suspended pending further funding being made available.
While funding is not currently available to complete the Phase 3 design phase, and design work has been
suspended pending further funding being made available, it is an objective of the Monaghan County
Development Plan 2019 – 2025 ‘“To protect the selected route of the N2 upgrade road scheme between Ardee and
Castleblayney and the selected route between Clontibret and the border with Northern Ireland, and to prohibit
development that could prejudice their future delivery.” The draft 2025-2031 contains a similar policy.
Westmeath National Roads Office are assisting Monaghan County Council in delivering this scheme. I have
consulted with Westmeath National Roads Office in relation to this development.
They have considered this application in the context of the ongoing design of the road scheme.
The proposed development is located to the west of the N2 at Broomfield, within an area of lands previously
granted planning permission for development relating to a service station (Ref 19/82).
The N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road Scheme proposes a new sideroad and access arrangement for the
service station at this location – see screenshot below. While the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road Scheme
will impact the service station development granted under planning ref 19/82, provision will be made for this
through the design and land acquisition process.
This proposed development appears close to the current design of sideroad infrastructure planned for the
N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road Scheme. It is not clear from the planning drawings submitted if this proposed
development, or any ancillary infrastructure required for it, impacts on the proposed road scheme or the
required landtake. If it does impact the road scheme, this new planning application 26/60198 has the
potential to add further cost or complexity to the delivery of the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road Scheme.
To clarify the relationship between the proposed development and the N2 road scheme, and to ensure it
does not compromise future delivery, the applicant is requested to submit the following Further Information,
to the satisfaction of the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Project Team:
1. A revised site layout plan that clearly shows:
a. The proposed N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road Scheme layout and red line boundary (an AutoCAD
version of the road scheme can be requested from the Project Liaison Officer)
b. The red line boundary of the proposed substation development
c. The location of all ancillary infrastructure and services (including fencing and proposed
underground or overhead cable routes to the substation)
2. If any part of the proposed development or its associated infrastructure encroaches upon the road
scheme’s red line boundary, the applicant must submit alternative development proposals that avoid
such encroachment. This includes avoiding impact on the proposed side road and access road serving the
service station.
Please liaise with Roisin Moore (Nic An Iarla), Monaghan County Council’s Project Liaison Officer for the
N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road Scheme in relation to these Further Information requirements – contact
086 8255103 / rmoore@monaghancoco.ie.
Roisin Moore (Nic An Iarla)
Project Liaison Officer
N2 Ardee to Castleblayney / N2 Clontibret to Border Road Schemes
Monaghan County Council
086 8255103
Email: rmoore@monaghancoco.ie