19. Meath County Council Meath County Council
Buvinda House, Dublin Road, Navan,
Co. Meath, C15 Y291 Tel: 046 – 9097000/Fax: 046 – 9097001
E-mail: customerservice@meathcoco.ie
Web: www.meath.ie
Registration No.: 0017277O
Comhairle Contae na Mí
Teach Buvinda, Bóthar Átha Cliath, An Uaimh,
Contae na Mí, C15 Y291
Fón: 046 – 9097000/Fax: 046 – 9097001
R-phost: customerservice@meathcoco.ie
Web: www.meath.ie Uimhir Chláraithe: 0017277O
Planning Section.
5th July, 2023.
Forward Planning Team,
Monaghan County Council,
Planning Offices,
1 Dublin Street,
Monaghan,
H18 X982.
Re: Notice of Intention to Review the Existing Monaghan County Development Plan
2019-2025 and to Prepare a new Monaghan County Development Plan for 2025-
2031.
Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you for your correspondence in relation to the Notice of Intention to Review the existing
Monaghan County Development Plan 2019-2025 and to prepare a new Monaghan County
Development Plan for 2025-2031.
Meath County Council welcomes the opportunity to comment on the process and looks forward
to continued co-operation with and between both Authorities; with particular reference to
social, cultural and economic development and the protection of the environment. Please find
hereunder the comments of Meath County Council.
The current Meath County Development Plan (CDP) 2021-2027 was adopted on 22nd
September 2021 and came into effect on 3rd November, 2021. The plan can be viewed via the
following link: Meath Adopted County Development Plan | Meath County Council Online
Consultation Portal
There is a cross-county dimension to many environmental issues such as energy, climate
change, water quality, habitat and species loss and cross-county cooperation is therefore vital
2
to protect the environment across the two counties and the wider region. It is important that
both Local Authorities have the same high standards with regard to the protection of the
environment. A divergence of standards would be detrimental to the conservation of our shared
natural heritage for future generations. It is therefore considered necessary that there be a high
level of consistency between County Plans in adjoining authorities. In this regard it is important
that cognisance should be taken of the policies and objectives of the Meath County
Development Plan 2021-2027.
The N2 Strategic Corridor
The N2 is a particularly important strategic route, which passes through County Meath linking
the north of the island via Monaghan and Meath to Dublin. National Strategic Outcome 2 of
the National Planning Framework (NPF) refers to enhanced regional accessibility. The
National Development Plan 2021-2030 (NDP) sets out the investment priorities that will
underpin the implementation of the NPF and outlines the national road network projects which
will be provided with investment. This includes the N2/A5 road, serving Meath, Monaghan
and Donegal and the N2 Slane Bypass. A number of sections of the national road network are
priority projects in the National Development Plan including the N3 Clonee to M50, N3
Virginia Bypass, N2 Rath Roundabout to Kilmoon Cross, N2 Ardee to south of Castleblayney
and N2 Clontibret to the Border.
Section 5.8.3 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 relates to the ‘N2 Corridor’
and states that the N2 corridor functions as a vital cross border economic artery which is
essential to facilitate strategic traffic movement and to maintain and improve accessibility to
employment areas. The importance of this North-South route and its role in maintaining an
“open all island” economy post Brexit is recognised within both the National Development
Plan 2021-2030 and the NPF. The NTA Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042 in
Section 13.3.2 ‘National Roads Projects’ states ‘During the period of the Strategy it is intended
to further manage, develop and enhance the national road network including the delivery of
the following projects: N2 Slane Bypass and associated public realm and sustainable transport
enhancements in Slane Village; N2 Upgrade from the M2 Rath Roundabout to Kilmoon Cross
to address safety issues’. The National Development Plan makes particular reference to and
prioritises the upgrade of the N2 from Rath Roundabout to Kilmoon Cross section of road
which is already underway. The delivery of these works will continue to be supported and
facilitated by Meath County Council and the Council are actively preparing a planning
application for the Slane by-pass.. It is an objective of Meath County Council (MOV OBJ 38)
‘To continue to support and facilitate TII, Fingal County Council, Louth County Council and
Monaghan County Council in the planning and delivery of upgrades to the N2, as appropriate
3
and to reserve route corridor free from development which would interfere with the delivery of
identified schemes, when finalised’. Meath County Council remains committed to supporting
and facilitating the planning and delivery of upgrades to the N2. To reflect the importance of
this route it is suggested that a specific policy and supporting body text be included in the
Monaghan Development Plan in this regard.
The Lakelands Greenway
Section 4.28.5 ‘Walking and Cycling Routes’ contained in the Meath County Development
Plan 2021-2027 recognises the importance of greenways and outdoor recreational activities for
the health and well-being of the population and in attracting tourism. ED OBJ 78 ‘To deliver
the Lakelands Greenway (Navan-Kingscourt–Monaghan) in co-operation with Irish Rail and
neighbouring Local Authorities and subject to obtaining all relevant assessments and consents’
confirms Meath County Council’s commitment to the delivery of this project in cooperation
with adjoining Local Authorities. Significant progress has been made on the delivery of this
project with a number of sections of the greenway operational and further sections under
construction and at tender stage. Meath County Council has had initial consultations with
Monaghan County Council regarding the possibility of extending the greenway even further
as far as Carrickmacross in County Monaghan following the old Great Northern Railway’s
Irish North West line. This proposal is included in and supported by the Transport
Infrastructure Ireland (TII) National Cycle Network (NCN). Meath County Council look
forward to working along with the TII, Monaghan and Cavan County Council’s in this exciting
project and would welcome a similar supporting objective to ED OBJ 78 in the Monaghan
Development Plan.
Landscape Character
The Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 contains a Landscape Character Assessment.
The area adjacent to the Monaghan County boundary is identified as the ‘North Meath
Lakelands Landscape Character Area’ which is rated as being of a ‘moderate value’. This
designation should be considered in the context of development proposals in Monaghan with
a cross boundary visual impact.
Nature Designations
Ballyhoe Lough Proposed Natural Heritage Area (Site Code 001594) is located on the Meath
– Monaghan border. Chapter 8 ‘Cultural and Natural Heritage Strategy’ of the Meath County
Development Plan 2021-2027 lists all Natural Heritage Areas and Proposed Natural Heritage
Areas, including Ballyhoe Lough and contains a number of policies and objectives to protect
4
such Natural Heritage Areas from inappropriate forms of development. Meath County Council
would welcome the inclusion of similar policies in the Monaghan Development Plan. Cross
county co-operation regarding these sites will continue to be essential.
Conclusion
Meath County Council respectfully requests that the relevant issues raised above are fully
considered in the review of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2019-2025 and the
preparation of the new Monaghan County Development Plan for 2025-2031. Please do not
hesitate to contact us if you require clarification of any of the issues raised in this submission
or any further information on Meath County Council policies or strategies necessary for the
review of the Plan. Meath County Council looks forward to ongoing participation in the plan
review and wishes Monaghan County Council well as the review process continues.
Yours Sincerely,
_____________________________
Pádraig Maguire
Senior Planner