Council acquires lands for community use in Laytown

Meath County Council has purchased over five acres of land for community facilities on the Tara Road in Laytown.

A public consultation is expected to follow and the purchase has been warmly welcomed, but had led to calls to ensure that community facilities are planned as part of any future housing developments.

The site, which consists of 5.386 acres of land on the Tara Road stretches from the temporary school building to the roundabout at the parochial Hall.

Cllr Elaine McGinty said that given its central location it will make a big difference to all living in the area.

“East Meath has undergone a huge transformation in the last number of years and I fully expect the latest census figures to reflect this change.

“It is important now that we engage with the public, community and sporting groups to see what is needed and of most benefit to the area.

“I look forward to engaging with everyone on this and most importantly delivering long overdue services for the area.”

Cllr McGinty said lessons would have to be learned for the future.

“We have seen a huge expansion of housing across East Meath but without the community facilities necessary for such a big increase in population. It is very important that in the future community facilities are delivered in tandem with new housing developments."

Cllr Sharon Tolan also welcomed the purchase of the land.

“I have championed the need for more community land for a long number of years and I am delighted that I can now confirm the purchase is complete. “We will liaise with the public and local groups and organisations regarding what facilities exactly will be of most benefit to deliver, and I look forward to beginning that process.

“This has been badly needed for a very long time, so it is great news for the area,” she said.