An Bord Pleanála Inspector's Report
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An Bord Pleanála Inspector’s Report Reference No: NA 0001. Proposed Development: Dunboyne (M3) Commuter Rail. Location: Clonsilla, Co. Dublin to Pace, Co. Meath. Applicants: Coras Iompair Eireann (CIE). Planning Authorities: 1. Fingal County Council. 2. Meath County Council. Application Type: Railway Order under section 37 of the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act, 2001 as amended by section 49 of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act, 2006. Observers: There are 31 observers and they are listed overleaf. Dates of Site Inspection: 21st and 30th November 2007. Inspector: David Dunne. NA 0001. An Bord Pleanála Page 1 of 1 List of Observers. 1. Richard B. Leahy, Liverpool. 2. James Reeves, 8a Elton Drive, Dunboyne. 3. Thomas & Maud Potterton, Rathcormick, Ballivor. 4. James & Adrienne McGrath, 9 Elton Drive, Dunboyne. 5. John Connaughton Ltd. 6. Millfarm Residents Association. 7. Hilltown Partnership. 8. SIAC Construction Ltd. 9. Menolly Group. 10. Virginia Kerr. 11. Rail Users Ireland. 12. McGarrell Reilly. 13. Sean Boylan, Castlefarm, Dunboyne. 14. Ian Pringle, Barnhill. 15. Tony Murray & Michael Degan, Lucan. 16. Mrs Betty Larkin, Station Road, Dunboyne. 17. DTO. 18. Manor Park Homebuilders. 19. Gerty Gregan, Lands at Bennettstown, Dunboyne. 20. Michael Mc Loughlin, 11 Riverwood Heath, Castleknock. 21. NRA. 22. Barina Construction Ltd. 23. An Taisce. 24. Gerard & Moira McGrath, Stirling Bridge. 25. Meath Local Authorities. 26. Castelthorn Construction. 27. Colm Moore. 28. Fingal County Council. 29. Dept. Environment, Heritage & Local Government. 30. Waterways Ireland. 31. Tom Maher (Note: Observation received 13/12/07 during oral hearing). NA 0001. An Bord Pleanála Page 2 of 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 1. 1.1. Introduction………………………………………………………………. 5. 1.2. Site and Surroundings…………………………………………………… 5. 1.3. History…………………………………………………………………….. 6. 1.4. Proposed Development…………………………………………………… 7. 1.5. Observations……………………………………………………………… 9. 1.6. Planning Framework…………………………………………………… 23. 1.7. Provisions of EIS………………………………………………………… 27. 1.8. Oral Hearing……………………………………………………………. 34. Section 2. 2.1. Preamble………………………………………………………………… 37. 2.2. The Application………………………………………………………… 37. 2.3. Need…………………………………………………………………….. 38. 2.4. Adequacy of EIS……………………………………………………….. 39. 2.5. Conservation…………………………………………………………… 43. 2.6. Stations/Park & Ride – General………………………………………. 49. 2.7. Pace Station and Park & Ride………………………………………… 52. 2.8. Dunboyne Station and Park & Ride………………………………….. 54. 2.9. Hansfield Station……………………………………………………… …58. 2.10. Clonsilla Station…………………………………………………….. 60. 2.11. Roads Issues…………………………………………………………. 61. 2.12. Property Acquisition & Related Issues……………………………. 65. 2.13. Other issues…………………………………………………………. 77. Section 3. Recommendation……………………………………………… 79. Amendments to Articles in draft Railway Order………………………. 80. Amendments to Schedule 1 -The railway and railway works authorised by this order…………………. 81. Amendments to Schedule 2 - Land to be acquired…………………….. 82. NA 0001. An Bord Pleanála Page 3 of 3 Amendments to Schedule 3 - Roads to be closed permanently……………… 83. Amendments to Schedule 4 - Roads to be closed temporarily………………. 83. Amendments to Schedule 5 -Roads to be altered…………………………….. 83. Amendments to Schedule 6 - New roads to be constructed…………………. 83. Amendments to Schedule 7 - Land over which rights including rights of way and other rights and easements are to be acquired………………… 83. Amendments to Schedule 8 - Part 1- Public rights to be extinguished……… 83. Amendments to Schedule 8- Part 2 - Private rights to be extinguished…….. 84. Amendments to Schedule 9 - Public and private rights of way to be temporarily interrupted…………………………84. Amendments to Schedule 10 - Land of which temporary possession is to be taken………………………………….. 85. Schedule 11 - Agreements reached at the oral hearing……………………… 86. Schedule 12 – Conditions……………………………………………………… 96. Report Attachments. Attachment 1: CIE/IE Evidence to Oral Hearing. Attachment 2: Local Authorities Submissions to Oral Hearing. Attachment 3: Observers Submissions to Oral Hearing. Attachment 4: CIE/IE Amendments to draft Rail Order. Attachment 5: CIE/IE Responses to Submissions. Attachment 6: Photos from site inspection. NA 0001. An Bord Pleanála Page 4 of 4 SECTION 1. 1.1. Introduction. 1.1.1. This is an application for a Railway Order under section 37 of the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act, 2001 as amended by section 49 of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act, 2006. It involves reopening a railway line between Clonsilla and Pace that previously operated for a period of approximately 100 years between 1862 and 1963 as part of the Dublin- Navan railway but has been closed for the past 45 years. Since its closure in 1963, the tracks have been lifted and the land disposed of. The line would connect to the existing main line from Connolly Station to Sligo at Clonsilla. 1.1.2. The applicants are Coras Iompair Eireann/Iarnrod Eireann (CIE/IE) and they held pre-application consultations with the Board. 1.2. Site and Surroundings. 1.2.1. The former alignment of the proposed railway is largely intact and there is no development over it. The overall amount of land involved is stated as 23.5ha (see EIS 12.6.3 p153) and the alignment passes through the administrative area of two planning authorities, Fingal County Council and Meath County Council. The following is a brief description of the route travelling from south to north. 1.2.2. Clonsilla Station to Hilltown. The proposed railway links in with the existing Maynooth line to the west of Clonsilla Station and adjoining the Royal Canal. The stone abutments of the former bridge over the canal are still intact. The north bank of the canal is a pedestrian way but consists of a grassed area without footpath or public lighting. There is a towpath at the bridge abutments and the remains of a stone accommodation under-bridge to its north. 1.2.3. From the Royal Canal to Hilltown Stud the alignment is intact with earthen embankments and hedgerows either side. The central portion has been cleared. The Barnhill over-bridge has damaged parapets on both sides and a pipe on its eastern side. Parts of the flank walls are loose. There are no dwellings immediately adjoining the line and there is farmland on both sides adjoining the route. 1.2.4. Hilltown to Sterling. The line is blocked at Hilltown Stud by an earthen bank and hedgerow. Through the stud the hedgerow along the western side of the alignment is still intact but the line and its eastern boundary have been incorporated into fields separated by post and rail fencing. To the east of the line is Hilltown House with a walled garden. At the northern end of the stud farm the line is blocked by a concrete walled dungstead. The route of the recently constructed pipeline through the farm from the R149 is visible with cleared hedges and trees at the road frontage. NA 0001. An Bord Pleanála Page 5 of 5 1.2.5. From Hilltown Stud to Sterling over-bridge the line and hedgerows are intact. At the southern side of the bridge there are paddocks to the west and Sunny Bank house to the east, both set back from the line. The parapets of the stone- arched bridge are intact but there is evidence of cracking and repairs to the crown of the arch. To the north of the bridge the line leading to a stone-arched accommodation bridge is impassable due to flooding. The parapets of this bridge are badly damaged. 1.2.6. Sterling to Dunboyne. The line is intact between Sterling and Dunboyne over-bridges with mostly farmland either side. To the southeast of Beechdale housing estate there is an ESB pylon blocking the line but there is a farm track around it that continues to Dunboyne Bridge. The estates of Beechdale and Larchfield are immediately adjoining the line to the west and between these estates the line crosses the Dunboyne or Castle Stream where there is a stone-arched under-bridge. To the southeast of Dunboyne Bridge there is a residence and health clinic. Here there is also an intact water tower. The bridge appears to be in good condition and its parapets are intact. 1.2.7. Dunboyne to Pace. Immediately to the north of Dunboyne Bridge the line is blocked as it has been incorporated into the garden of a dwelling that was formerly the station building. This garden is surrounded by tall evergreen trees and there are remnants of the former station platforms in this garden. The line then becomes intact again with the Millfarm housing estate immediately to the west and farmland to the east. 1.2.8. North of Millfarm the line passes through rough pasture and then tillage before becoming identifiable again as it crosses the Tolka River in two places. To the north of the river there has been some encroachment onto the former alignment by the rear gardens of houses fronting the R157. The line then passes through Bennetstown over-bridge where the parapets on both sides have been badly damaged. North of the bridge the line is blocked where the garden of a house has been extended to the bank of the Tolka. North of the Tolka there is a short intact section of the former line with a farmhouse and outbuildings to the west. Thereafter there are construction works at the proposed M3 interchange including diversion of the river. 1.2.9. I attach photographs taken during my site inspection. 1.3. History. 1.3.1. Originally a railway line from Clonsilla to Navan was opened in 1862 as a single line. Following the take-over by the Midland Great Western Railway in 1888, doubling of the line took place between Clonsilla and Drumree. Passenger services were suspended temporarily during the Second World War and were finally suspended in 1947. Goods traffic continued to use the line until it closed completely in 1963. The track was then lifted and most of the land disposed of. NA 0001. An Bord Pleanála Page 6 of 6 1.4. Proposed Development.