The former owner of the Bula lead and zinc ore body, Mr Michael Wymes, has lost a High Court bid to prevent 950 metres of a new road between Navan and Trim passing through his Bective House estate in Co Meath.
Mr Wymes had secured leave from the High Court to seek orders, in judicial review proceedings, quashing the decision of An Bord Pleanála which had confirmed a compulsory purchase order on part of his lands. Mr Wymes claimed the house was a protected structure and that the protection extended to the lands.
He claimed the proposal would have a devastating effect on the demesne which was recognised in the Meath County Development Plan as being an area of high natural beauty and amenity. The board denied the proposed development was in material contravention of the Meath development plan.
A senior planning officer in Meath Co Council, Mr Michael Killeen, said the road was providing a direct route from Navan to Trim and acted as a connection with the national primary routes N3 and N4. The proposed development consisted of a two-lane road and it was proposed to carry out phased works over a number of years. The length of the new roadway which was proposed to be constructed on Mr Wymes's lands was about 950 metres. Mr Justice Ó Caoimh said the evidence showed the road development fell within the terms of the county development plan.