Gabhra Valley - planning appeal to application

by Muireann Ni Bhrolchain - Save Tara Sat Nov 04, 2006 20:41

An objection was lodged to this proposed development by the project archaeologist on the M3 scheme. She is speaking the language of the objectors to the route of the motorway. Does it not occur to her and others that putting the interchange where it is - it was obvious that there would be efforts at development? Did it not occur to her over the past years of protest that the warning bells sounded by objecters would come true?
Well they have and now we have the extraordinary situation where the person doing the archaeology on the proposed route is objecting to the inevitable development that will follow. The road and an interchange are ok but not waste recycling? This application would never be made if it were not for this mad proposed route.

Here is her objection:

Planning Application No. NA 60204 – JMP Construction Ltd.
Development consisting of a 'new construction and demolition waste recycling facility' on lands at Philpotstown, Garlow Cross, Navan, Co Meath
By: Mary Deevy, Project Archaeologist, National Roads Design Office, MCC

Dated: 31 August 2006

The area of proposed development is located close to the Hill of Tara National Monument, and is located with its wider landscape. The area is known to have high archaeological potential as further illustrated by the ongoing archaeological investigations carried out as part of the nearby planned M3 Clonee – North of Kells Motorway Scheme 2002. These investigations identified new sites within lands included in the Land Holding Map submitted by the planning application (Philpotstown 2 and 3) and further sites in adjoining lands (Castletown Tara 1, 2 and 3). There does not as yet appear to have been any archaeological assessment of the area of this proposed development. Archaeological assessment and an assessment of the visual impact is recommended in this case and in advance of any major development in this sensitive area, as carried out on the route of the planned M3.

When issuing Directions for archaeological excavation along the route of the nearby planned M3 the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government considered the issue of concern related to the control of future development on the lands between the planned M3 and the existing N3, in particular in the area of the Blundelstown/Philpotstown interchange.

He requested his Department ‘to engage with Meath County Council to ensure appropriate policy objectives are contained in the new development plan, currently in preparation, to protect the rural character, setting and archaeological heritage of the landscape in the vicinity of Tara and the new motorway’.

This proposed industrial development may not be in accordance with the Minister’s objective on all three aspects namely – the protection of the rural character, setting and archaeological heritage of the landscape in the vicinity of Tara and the new motorway. I would recommend confirming with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government that this application is in accordance with the Minister’s objective.

Interchange at Tara

Impact at Tara

by Muireann Ni Bhrolchain - Save Tara Wed Oct 25, 2006 00:05

Raymond Potterton are auctioning this 170 acre plot next Tuesday. See the link below, hover over the image 2 link to see the plot.
http://www.raymondpotterton.com/v2/detail.asp?l=474&o=1

Its a substantial amount of land and most significantly its just below the Hill of Tara. The spiel on the website states:
"It is superbly located close to the proposed line of the new M3 Motorway which will allow further easy access to Dublin City & Airport."

If this land is bought by a developer it will be a disaster for the valley and the hill and it could be the beginning of the new "sprawling" Navan.

On a related point there is also a 70 acre plot being auctioned on the same day, and also at 3PM in the Ardboyne by HOK. Its in Gerrardstown so not so close to the hill but apparently it is "about 1.5 miles from the proposed M3 motorway interchange at Garlow Cross on the N3". http://www.hokres.com/property.aspx?prop_id=757&address...stown
Isn't it just great...
These are probably not zoned for development but it is worrying to see so much land being sold so close to the proposed route.
The trend, following the planning application, is worrying. More than worrying.

by Muireann Ni Bhrolchain - Save Tara Tue Oct 10, 2006 01:23

Please note how close the interchange is to the TOP of the hill. Imagine the development creeping quietly through those beautiful green, quiet fields.
Ministe Roche recently said that a Km should be kept on either side of the railway to Dunboyne for development, nothing wrong with that but imagine what will happen if a Km on either side of the road is kept for development - it will nearly reach the top of the hill. The interchange, the closest that the road comes to the hill, is within Ikm and a half of the TOP of the Hill. This is the real danger. The whole Valley will disappear and a toll to get in and one to get out