Councillors in Meath expect to raise €30 million in levies from residential and commercial development along the corridor of the new railway line between Clonsilla and Dunboyne (Pace) in Co Meath.
It has also emerged that Minister for the Environment Dick Roche wrote to the council last week suggesting it consider increasing the residential density adjacent to the line and consider higher densities possible through apartment-type development rather than with "estate type dwellings".
The new levies will affect an area stretching one kilometre either side of the rail line. The land take affected 1,947 hectares and most of it is currently undeveloped. The levies will be on top of those already paid by developers to the local authority.
The 7.5km twin-track rail line will run from Clonsilla to Pace, just north of Dunboyne and carry up to six trains an hour at peak times. It is due to open by 2009.
The levy scheme will provide the council with the funds it is committing to the re-opening of the line. Fingal County Council is also contributing €30 million; the total cost of providing the line is just under €160 million.
Councillors were told that at the moment about 448 hectares have been developed and another 197 hectares are zoned for future development. In addition another 20 to 30 per cent of the corridor it is "anticipated" will be developed over the 30-year life of the levy scheme.
In correspondence with the council on the new levies, Mr Roche said "you may wish to consider that residential development along a commuter rail link should be geared towards higher density than currently planned for". He said "The notional residential density expressed of 50 units per hectare appears low as it would seem to suggest estate-type dwellings rather than possible higher densities which would be possible through apartment-type development. A mix of residential units would also provide for more diverse and sustainable communities," he added.
Meanwhile, a joint study on the possible extension of the rail line from Pace to Navan, being undertaken by the council and Iarnród Éireann is not expected before the middle of next year.