Bishop denies funding for major developments in rural Meath school due to insurance concerns
Parent representatives from Ballinlough National School in Co. Meath are 'disappointed' following news from the local Bishop that funding for major developments would have to be denied due to 'significant obligations'.
The school had provisionally received funding approval up to a maximum of €50,000 from Meath County Council under the CLÁR programme (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais).
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
23-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Navan invites residents to take part in ‘game changer' town centre expansion
A newly launched public survey is inviting residents, businesses, and community groups to share their views on the future of the Navan Town Centre Expansion Area, a strategic zone earmarked for major regeneration. Located off the Trim Road and Carraig Road, the area is set to become an extension of Navan's town centre and potentially the home of the long-awaited Navan Central Rail Station. Councillor Eddie Fennessy is urging residents to take part in the survey. 'The Trim Road/Dan Shaw Road/Carraige Road area is up for a massive redevelopment over the coming years,' he said on a social media post. 'This survey is very important. It gives people an opportunity to contribute the overall design. I'd like to see as many people as possible participate in that process.' The Navan councillor who just finished serving his term as Mayor said the most important piece of infrastructure on this development is the proposed train station - 'Its delivery will attract business to the town, creating employment opportunities.' Cllr Fennessy added: 'It will take cars off the road, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and congestion problems. And we will be connected to the rail grid bringing multiple benefits in terms of connectivity, tourism and economic growth. It really will be a game changer for Navan.' The survey includes a broad range of topics, from sustainable transport links to placemaking features like a civic plaza and pedestrian and cycle access to Páirc Tailteann — to which Cllr Fennessy says reflect 'an ambition on the council's part to design a communal space that people will enjoy for decades to come.' According to Meath County Council, the project is an opportunity to enhance Navan's connectivity, economy, and liveability. With the support of urban design consultants Building Design Partnership (BDP), the Master Plan will explore how to best develop the currently underutilised lands into a lively urban quarter featuring commercial, residential, and community spaces. The development will also integrate with Navan's existing public realm, cultural quarter, hospital, and major community amenities. It supports broader goals laid out in long-term plans such as Navan 2050 and the Navan Town Centre Integrated Public Realm and Movement Plan 2030. The council stresses that feedback gathered during this pre-draft consultation phase will directly influence the final Master Plan. The public can submit their feedback until Monday, July 14, 2025. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Irish Independent
18-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Bishop denies funding for major developments in rural Meath school due to insurance concerns
Today at 05:37 Parent representatives from Ballinlough National School in Co. Meath are 'disappointed' following news from the local Bishop that funding for major developments would have to be denied due to 'significant obligations'. The school had provisionally received funding approval up to a maximum of €50,000 from Meath County Council under the CLÁR programme (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais).
Irish Independent
17-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Public consultation opens on new Drumconrath recreational development in Meath
The project, titled the Drumconrath Recreational Space and Enterprise Building, is designed to revitalise the underutilised site by delivering a mix of community-focused recreational facilities and local enterprise opportunities. The proposed development includes extensive site preparation, drainage improvements, and landscaping to transform the area into a vibrant and accessible public space. Recreational amenities will feature a 3x3 half basketball court, two outdoor table tennis courts, children's chute slides, and outdoor fitness equipment. The design also includes a network of granite-paved plaza areas, resin-bound gravel paths, local stone seating walls, timber-top benches, grass meadows, and newly planted trees. A key element of the project is the conservation and adaptive reuse of Drumconrath House, a protected structure located on the site. The building is set to be converted from a private dwelling into a community café on the ground floor, with the upper level redesigned to host business rooms that will support local economic activity. In addition to the new facilities, the proposal includes significant road safety improvements. These involve traffic calming measures such as speed bumps, upgraded junctions, and the installation of new roadside kerbing to ensure better safety and access for both pedestrians and vehicles. An Appropriate Assessment Screening has been carried out under the EU Habitats Directive, with Meath County Council concluding that the development poses no significant environmental impact. As such, a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is not required. Plans for the development are available for public consultation until July 9, 2025 at Meath County Council's Planning Department in Navan and at the Municipal District Office in Kells. They are also available online at under Part 8 Reference PT8/MH254. Meanwhile submissions or observations regarding the project must be received by Wednesday, July 23, 2025 via the online portal or in writing to the council.
