Landmark property on the Dublin Road will undergo renovation with residential development planned

Major plans for the renovation of Knockboyne House, together with the construction of 22 houses on its grounds are on the cards for the former Navan home of Dr Mary Randles and the late Dr Paddy Randles.

The landmark property on the Dublin Road, which sits on almost four acres, was purchased a year ago by builder Tom Hora and in recent weeks a planning application has been lodged with Meath Co Council for the renovation of the period house and a residential development on the site.

Hora Developments Limited is proposing the renovation of Knockboyne House including minor internal alterations and the demolition of the non-original lean-to rear annex as well as the renovation of existing derelict stable/coach-house with demolition of lean-to side annex and concrete blockwork extension to rear.

The new builds include seven three-bedroom terraced townhouses and 11 four-bedroom terraced townhouses as well as two four-bedroom semi-detached houses, one four-bedroom detached house and one three-bedroom detached gate lodge.

A new site entrance is proposed where a temporary access currently exists onto 'Springfield Glen'. The existing Dublin Road (R147) electric gate entrance would become 'exit only' and 'left turn only.

All the mature deciduous trees located at the Northern intersection of the Springfield Glen Road with the N3 (R147) Dublin Road are to be retained and protected as well as other good quality, healthy deciduous trees elsewhere on the site as highlighted in the tree protections plan.

According to an arborist's report submitted with the application, the proposal "requires the removal of 65 trees and 16 groups of trees. These removals are required to facilitate the main development, for arboricultural reasons and to remove Japanese Knotweed".

It notes that their loss will not have a significant impact on the character and appearance of the local landscape and that the "majority of trees required to be removed are of low and poor quality".

Knockboyne House is a Georgian two-storey residence and has been associated with prominent families in the town over the past century - the McQuillan family who owned the Boyne Stores in Navan and Drogheda; later orthopaedic surgeon De Wytte; and latterly the Randles family, general practitioners in the town. It seems to have been a residence that attracted the medical fraternity, and was built by a Dr Byron.

A decision is due on the application on 14th January.