Meath County Council grants permission for 356-home scheme at Dunboyne North, Co. Meath

In context

It is one of 99 housing scheme applications Meath County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 1,568 nationally. Of the 3,037 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 79% were granted.

What happens next

The applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 14 May 2026. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Meath County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

Permission for the following Large-Scale Residential Development consisting of: 1) the demolition of 2 no. existing agricultural farm sheds and associated structures, 2) the removal of the existing GAA pitch and associated structures; 3) the construction of 356 no. residential units comprising 252 no. dwelling houses and 104 no. maisonettes/apartments/duplexes providing a mix of 1, 2, 3 and 4-bed units. The dwelling houses range in height from 2-3 storeys. The maisonettes are 2 storey in height and the apartments/duplexes are in 4 no. blocks (i.e. Blocks A-D) ranging in height from 3 to 4 storeys; 4) a 2 storey creche; 5) modifications to the R157 regional road including changes to the existing carriageway/traffic lanes, the replacement of an existing roundabout with a new signalised junction and the provision of a northern arm off the new signalised junction; 6) a new signalised junction and link road (including new bridge over the River Tolka) connecting the R157 and the Old Navan Road; 7) the provision of footpaths, cycle lanes and 2 no. pedestrian crossings on the existing M3 Parkway access road, 8) foul pumping stations and connection to the existing public sewerage system via the Old Navan Road; 9) a watermain connection to the north of the site at Pace (townland); 10) 4 no. ESB substation/kiosks; 11) construction of conveyance swales and filter drains as part of pluvial flood mitigation measures and 12) all ancillary development works including footpaths, cycle lanes, car and bicycle parking, drainage, public lighting, bin/bike storage, boundary treatments and landscaping/amenity areas at this site principally located in Bennetstown (townland) to the west of the R157 and north of Kennedy Road, and also extending into Pace & Dunboyne (townlands), Dunboyne North, Co. Meath. Access will be via 2 no. new signalised junctions on to the R157 comprising 1 no. new vehicular access point to the southeast along the R157 and via 1 no. new vehicular access point to the north along a new northern arm off a new signalised junction which will replace the existing roundabout on the R157. The planning application red line boundary overlaps with planning ref. 23/60290 (ABP Ref: 320049-24), 23/60065, 23/424, 24/60805 and 25/61001. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been submitted to the planning authority with the application. Significant further information/revised plans submitted on this application