New council HQ chamber plans on public display

Plans for a major extension to Meath Co Council's HQ at Buvinda House to provide a new council chamber and additional office accommodation are currently on public display.

The new council chamber is the main feature of the design and the 3,220sqm two and three-storey extension will also include ancillary councillor office space, office space for 155 additional staff and a garden courtyard area. The estimated cost of the project is €21m-€26m.

The project team includes Bucholz McEvoy Architects, Punch Consulting Engineers, Delap & Waller Mechanical/Electrical Engineers, Bernard Seymour Landscape architects. A Natura Impact Statement accompanies the application.

The planning application was lodged with An Bord Pleanala and the plans can be viewed at Buvinda House and also at the Bord Pleanala Offices in Dublin or online under the consultation section of Meath County Council's website. Submissions can be made on the plans until 25th January.

If approved, it is intended that work would start next year with a target completion time of two to three years.

With an estimated cost of €21m-€26m, there has been some backlash over spending so much on the project while in the midst of a cost of living crisis, with Cllr Emer Tóibín voicing her opposition to the plans.

Writing on her facebook page, Cllr Tóibín has called for a halt to the project saying the €21m-€26m would be better spend on the provision of social and affordable housing in the county.

"We're living in a time where many constituents are under enormous economic pressure. People are contacting our office looking for food - that's how bad things are. Now really isn't the right time to go building a new council chamber. Our spending must be prioritised in helping those who are struggling and in tackling the housing crisis. We need to have a bit of cop on when it comes to this issue," she said.