[Article] CIE decision on disposal of Kells depot imminent

Navan Junction

John Feeney, Meath Chronicle, Sat May 27th 2006

CIE is understood to have received a number of very substantial offers for its depot at Bective Street, Kells, and a decision is expected imminently to approve its sale.

The sale figure is thought likely to comfortably exceed e10 million, according to informed sources.

A CIE spokesperson stressed this week, however, that the firm had "no current plans" to dispose of the property.

The Local Area Plan (LAP) for the Kells Backlands is completing its period on public display. Submissions from this will be examined first by officials, before a revised scheme is placed before Kells Town Councillors in late autumn for adoption.

The plan outlines a new road, directly opposite the Mullingar (Balrath) Road. This would cross very close to the CIE/Bus Éireann depot to feed into a new street and lesser roads, servicing much of the Backlands development.

The CIE lands, formerly the town’s railway station, does not form part of the LAP scheme proper. But it is thought its owners would effectively achieve access to more than one-third of the designated 80 hectares in the Backlands. Questions of an existing right of way, however, are understood to have delayed negotiations with developers.

There were indications in early May that agreement was very close between CIE and one major developer. At least two others, it is understood, had their offers turned down.

The prospect of a town centre site being preserved for a restored rail line seems now certain to end. The rail line serving Navan and Oldcastle formally closed in 1959, and the tracks were removed a few years later. Preservation of part of the line is proposed in the LAP outline.

Locals want Bus Éireann to re-invest any proceeds of the sale into a new depot, preferably on the Cavan Road side of town, according to Colr Conor Ferguson this week.

© Meath Chronicle