Planning permission for Slane Bypass refused by An Bord Pleanala

[Anti-Coalition]

It was just announced on the 10.00 news that An Bord Pleanala has refused planning permission for the Slane Bypass, on grounds it was too close to Newgrange/Bru na Boinne UNESCO World Heritage Site:

An Bord Pleanála has confirmed it has refused permission for the proposed Slane by-pass in Co Meath.

The agency decided to reject the planned bridge and roads around the village because the proposal was located very close to the World Heritage Site at Brú na Bóinne.

Other factors included the belief among the board members that it had not been proven that no appropriate alternative was available, and it could have diverted traffic off the M1 tolled motorway.

The decision has been greeted with anger and dismay by local residents who had been campaigning for a bypass.

The Bypass Slane Campaign said it is "shocked and dismayed" by the decision. The group was formed in April 2009 in the aftermath of a serious road traffic incident in the village the previous month.

In a statement, it said: "Life in the village, over generations, has been overwhelmed by the dangerous volumes of traffic and by the constant threat to life it brings.

"We now feel that as we have exhausted every avenue open to us that we are now entirely helpless.

"The decades of inaction and failure to deal decisively with this appalling situation are nothing short of a national scandal."

The group insisted that it will continue to lobby for a solution to the problem, and said it will be seeking a meeting with Transport Minister Leo Varadkar "as soon as possible".

[Anti-Coalition]

The An Bord Pleanala order and inspector's report can be found on their web site.

Save Newgrange is calling for an immediate HGV an in the village.

[Anti-Coalition]

The Irish Times just published the following report:

Planning refused for Slane bypass

ÉANNA Ó CAOLLAÍ

An Bord Pleanála has refused planning permission for the N2 Slane Bypass in County Meath.

Meath County Council sought approval for the 3.5 kilometer route which was to cross the River Boyne on a new bridge between the townlands of Fennor and Crewbane at a location to the east of the existing Slane bridge.

Citing the importance and sensitivity of the location of the proposed road An Bord Pleanála refused permission on several grounds.

It said the development, which would be a permanent feature in the landscape, would be acceptable only where it has been demonstrated that no appropriate alternative is available.

The proposed bypass is located in the Boyne Valley and is located within view of the Brú na Bóinne Unesco World Heritage Site, which An Bord Pleanála said "is one of the most important prehistoric megalithic sites in Europe and is of international importance".

The authority said the plan would have "a detrimental impact on the rural character, landscape setting, cultural amenity and archaeological heritage of the Brú na Bóinne archaeological complex, and would be contrary to the heritage protection provisions of the Development Plan".

Campaign group Save Newgrange welcomed the decision as "a huge victory for heritage and sustainable development in Ireland" and called for an "immediate" ban on HGV vehicles in the village.

Spokesman Vincen Salafia said:

“The Unesco World Heritage Site is our most popular tourist attraction, which will play a key role in our economic recovery, and it deserves the highest level of legal protection.

“We urge the authorities to immediately implement a HGV ban in the village, in order to protect drivers, villagers and the heritage value of the village", he said.

[Slane Resident]

"
The Bypass Slane Campaign are deeply saddened and angered at the tragic way in which a local pensioner lost his life in the centre of Slane village yesterday. The elderly man was hit by a truck as he negotiated traffic on the Drogheda road to cross from the Post Office. Our thoughts are with the friends, relatives and people who cared for this quiet, gentle local man. Once again, the people of Slane must face the stark reality that their village has played host to yet another tragedy and that traffic is given priority over the safety of the people who live here."

Rest in peace, Jimmy.

[C. Flower]

"
The Bypass Slane Campaign are deeply saddened and angered at the tragic way in which a local pensioner lost his life in the centre of Slane village yesterday. The elderly man was hit by a truck as he negotiated traffic on the Drogheda road to cross from the Post Office. Our thoughts are with the friends, relatives and people who cared for this quiet, gentle local man. Once again, the people of Slane must face the stark reality that their village has played host to yet another tragedy and that traffic is given priority over the safety of the people who live here."

Rest in peace, Jimmy.

Very sad to hear this.

Was in fear of my life every time I drove through Slane down that hill.