Labour Councillor Michelle Hall has given the granting of permission for 237 new homes at the old Slane Road a guarded welcome but has expressed concerns that the new homes are to be built on part of the Battle of the Boyne site.
An Bórd Pleanála (ABP) has given the green light to an application for a development of houses, duplexes and apartments totalling 237 dwellings at the Old Slane Road which was submitted by Loughdale Properties Ltd. via the controversial Strategic Housing Developments (SHD) system that by-pass the local authority and go directly to An Bord Pleanála for decision.
Councillor Hall submitted a lengthy submission on the planning application and has welcomed some of ABP’s conditions including funding for the upgrade of Leonard’s Cross in Mell but she has also says that not enough attention was given to the fact that the site is positioned on a Battle of the Boyne mapped area.
“There are several conditions attached to this approved planning permission on the Old Slane Road which I welcome such as electric charging points and ducting for future proofing of Electric Vehicles and e-bicycles, solar panels for sustainable development and full implementation of noise and light mitigation as the development is adjacent to the M1” she said.
“Especially welcome is an exceptional payment of €250,000 by the developer to Louth County Council for the upgrade of Leonard’s Cross junction. With an increase in the volume of traffic at this busy junction, this will hopefully make it easier for residents along the Old Slane Road to exit their road.
“However, I am extremely disappointed that there is no direction for a metal detection survey by a licensed archaeologist of the top soil, a key point of my submission.
“This site was used by both armies in the Battle of the Boyne, according to experts and is mapped by the Irish Battlefields Project. In fact, there is no mention at all in the final report from ABP, that the site is located on the Battle of the Boyne, even though I forwarded the maps with my submission.
“The Irish Battlefield Project should be an integral tool for planners in making decisions about developments but it has not been made publicly available yet. I made a great effort to contact the relevant experts to include evidence-based information in my submission. I am calling on the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to now publish this important report.
“While there will be an archaeologist employed, material of historical and archaeological importance will only be removed once work has commenced. This may be too late and we could lose valuable information that could add to our understanding of one of the most significant battles in Irish history,” concluded Councillor Hall.
