James Reilly’s friend from earlier.
You may recall how Fine Gael Environment Minister Phil Hogan, within months of taking office, stopped inquiries into alleged planning irregularities at six local authorities last year.
The inquiries had been set up by the previous Environment Minister John Gormley and focused on Dublin city, Carlow, Cork city and counties Donegal, Galway and Meath.
In 2004, it was proposed that Drogheda Borough Council, and Louth and Meath County Councils join forces and create a conurbation incorporating lands known as Bryanstown.
It was also decided that other lands closer to Drogheda, on the Mornington Road, would be reserved and not developed until long-term plans for a port in the town were finished.
Following this decision, Wicklow developer Bill Doyle bought 124 acres in Bryanstown.
This was, he claimed, after he got assurances from Meath County Manager Tom Dowling that the three local authorities’ plans would go ahead as planned.
Doyle designed a major residential, retail and industrial ‘new town’ on the site. He also helped soccer club Drogheda United get new grounds on a 20-acre site.
It was also decided – following talks between Doyle, his professional advisers and council management – that a variation to the County Development Plan would be the best way to make this ‘new town’ happen.
Doyle borrowed millions from Anglo Irish Bank. But he then learned three councillors objected to the Bryanstown development – unless the reservation on the Mornington Road was lifted.
The objections by Jimmy Cudden (Ind), Pat Bushell (FF) and Thomas Kelly, formerly of the Green Party, stalled Doyle’s plan.
Even Fianna Fail minister of state Dick Roche – who was connected through marriage to one of the Bryanstown landowners – tried to break the deadlock in August 2008 but failed.
Doyle later learned, in 2008, that that 80 acres of his land in Bryanstown had been dezoned from residential to green space and industrial – making it unviable for his development.
But the lands at Mornington Road were freed up for development – to joy of the owners of the land, notably Shannon Homes’ Phil Reilly and Seamus Murphy.
Footnote
Because the Mornington land got the green light for development, the Drogheda sewerage scheme couldn’t accommodate Bryanstown’s proposed development – thus, putting an end Doyle and Drogheda FC’s plans. Both sites are now idle.
Zoning Change Destroys New Town Plan (Village Magazine)
Thanks OC
(Pic: Tony Healy)
