Major new Navan development to see construction of 322 homes with park, shops and community centre

A MASSIVE mixed-use development to provide 322 new homes, a public park, neighbourhood centre and community centre on lands at Farganstown, Navan, has given the green light by council planners.

Albert Developments has been granted a seven-year planning permission for phase 1B of the Boyne Village large-scale residential development on lands at Farganstown, Ballymacon and Athlumney.

The first phase of Boyne Village, which is accessed from the new Thomas Hodgett Road, just off the Kentstown Road, is currently under construction.

The lands for phase 1B extends to 13.26 hectares and is located to the north the Old Road, east of Tubberclaire Meadows and west of the newly constructed road.

The mixed-use development consists of 322 homes, a community centre and sports hall, a neighbourhood centre, and a district public park.

The 322 residential units are made up of houses, duplex units and apartments. The plans provide for 212 houses made up of 177 three-bedroom houses and 35 four-bedroom houses.

Also included are 26 duplex units made up of 13 two-bedroom units and 13 three-bedroom units in two three-storey blocks (with eight duplex units abutting apartment block two in a three-storey configuration).

The 84 apartments will be spread across three apartment buildings. Block two is five storeys with 24 apartments made up of 12 one-bedroom apartments and 12 two-bedroom apartments.

Block three is six-storeys high - five storeys above a neighbourhood centre. It provides for 36 apartments made up of 14 one-bedroom apartments and 22 two-bedroom apartments.

Block four is four-storeys above the community centre making it five-storeys in total. This consists of 24 apartments including nine one-bedroom apartments and 15 two-bedroom apartments.

There is a series of landscaped/public open space areas of 3.72 hectares including playground areas and a public park of approximately 1.65 ha of open space as well as additional communal open space for the apartments and duplex apartments.

A 512 sqm creche will be located on ground floor of Block two as well as a 1,778 sqm community centre and sports hall. The sports hall will be 837sqm and double height with ancillary changing rooms, four community rooms and ancillary administration/office rooms.

There will be a convenience anchor retail unit with a net floor space of 1,000 sqm, an 82sqm takeaway, an 82sqm cafe, a 210sqm pharmacy, an 232sqm general practice surgery.

A total of 693 car parking spaces are provided to serve the development along with 289 bicycle parking spaces.

As part of the conditions attached to the planning permission grant, Meath County Council has instructed the developer to follow a revised phasing scheme with the childcare facility be included in phase one and that the district park be completed by the end of phase two. The park is for public use and is to be maintained by the development until it is taken in charge by Meath County Council or a management company.

The community centre and sports centre is to be complete by the end of phase three and is for public use.

The overall masterplan for the Farganstown lands also includes an enterprise campus of approximately 37 acres that would accommodate over 500,000 square feet of high-end commercial units.

The decision was welcomed by Cllr Alan Lawes. “We need new homes, so this is good to see. The plans include a community centre, which I hope will be in addition to the community facilities planned for Johnstown as it is proposed to have 1,600 new homes in the Farganstown area when it is complete.”

On that issue, a spokesperson for Meath County Council said: “The lands at Dunville are under the control of Meath County Council. It is intended to develop community facilities at this location and the council will bring these plans forward through the Part VIII planning process.

“The development at the Boyne Village is on privately owned lands. As the development has just been granted permission the council is not in a position to comment as to the future provision of community facilities in that location at this time.”

Cllr Eddie Fennessy said; “Everyone benefits from what’s approved on this plan. Of particular interest is the development of a substantial community facility.

“There’s also a good mix of social and affordable housing which will benefit local families, particularly those looking to get on the property ladder. All things considered, it’s great news for Navan.”