Second application to redevelop Slane site

A controversial planning application for the development of a commercial centre and apartments in the grounds of the old parochial house in Slane has been lodged with Meath County Council by the company which was refused permission for a large development on the same site two years ago. CA Developments has applied for permission to develop a commercial village centre with four retail units, a medical centre, 13 apartments and a two-storey terraced block, containing four townhouses. The application also includes conservation works to the parochial house, which will remain as a private residence, the construction of a new internal boundary wall to the northern side of the house, surface car and bicycle parking accessed from the Ledwidge Hall road and the partial removal of the boundary wall to the south-east of the site and at Church Street. The Slane Community Forum says it will consult Professor Philip Geoghegan, of the 'Slane at the Crossroads" study, to get his views on the application. Professor Geoghegan earlier this year set out a development and conservation plan for the village, having carried out the study which was commissioned by the Slane Forum. The developers were refused planning permission in 2006 for a development on the same site which included the construction of 32 residential units in five terraced blocks. The old Parochial House is a large Georgian house which is one of four matching houses flanking the crossroads in the heart of Slane and had been home to Slane"s Catholic priests for over 80 years. However in 2004, the house was put up for sale and, in June of 2005, the sale closed for just over €1.5m. A number of local groups came together in 2004 to form the Slane Heritage Support Group with the aim of procuring the house and gardens and developing it into a tourist and village amenity. However, financially it was not viable and the plans did not come to fruition. The three-storey, over-basement, seven-bedroom building was sold in June 2005 for the sum of just over €1.5m. Slane"s parish priest, Fr Joe Deegan, is now living in a four-bedroom house across from the church.