[article] Council likely to raise €30m from levy on building

Navan Junction

Elaine Keogh, Irish Times, 05/09/2006


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.

© The Irish Times

spacetweek

Navan Junction wrote:

Elaine Keogh, Irish Times, 05/09/2006

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.

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© The Irish Times

I presume they're referring to zoning at Dunboyne as the Hansfield SDZ is quite high density - I saw a map of it on the web somewhere a while back.

Victor

Navan Junction wrote:

The new levies will affect an area stretching one kilometre either side of the rail line.

I'm wondering, should every new property, not just those adjacent to the line have to pay this levy. People 1.01km away from the line (in their one-off bungalow) still have the benefit, but none of the cost.

MarkoP11

You could live 25m away but be 3km from a station just as good as living 3km away from the line really

Navan Junction

And that is the problem with Phase 2.

Apparently there is a lack of consensus as to the radius along the stretch north of Pace.

Worth pointing out there is a planning row in Kilmessan over a block of apartments to be built.

Not sure how much longer that village will be a village..

I think they would like to charge levies out to Ratoath and Trim if they can..