A man alleged to be in breach of planning laws by carrying out unauthorised development at a house near the Newgrange World Heritage site has been given a last chance by a judge to regularise the situation. John McConville, Newgrange, Slane was alleged to have failed to comply with an enforcement notice served on him by Meath County Council in November 2020 under Section 154 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to 2021. Navan District Court heard on Friday that the position had not been regularised on 20th August 2022 and was still in breach.
Photographs showing “before and after” developments at the house were shown to Judge Eirinn McKiernan who said she did not see much difference between the two. However, the last thing anyone wanted to do was to grant the enforcement order. She suggested that the defendant apply for planning permission for the works. The first step would be a pre-planning meeting with council officials.
Solicitor for the county council David McEntee said the first step was the submission of a planning application. Mr McConville said that there were financial considerations involved for him. However, Judge McKiernan said she was putting the case back to 11th April next to allow for a pre-planning meeting to take place.
