Once we get planning we intend to start on the project straight away

The major jobs boost announced for Navan last week could see an end to the daily commute to Dublin for many local professionals.

The proposal by Navan native Noel Moran to develop a major financial centre on the site of the old British military barracks and De La Salle School off the Inner Relief Road (pictured below) has been warmly welcomed throughout the county.
The plans, as exclusively revealed by Meath Chronicle last week, could see the creation of well in excess of 800 jobs and are expected to be lodged with Meath County Council in the next six months.
Mr Moran, the Navan-born owner of London-based Prepaid Financial Services said this week that there was still a lot of work to be done and then the planning permission process to go through.
“One we get planning we intend to start on the project straight away,” he said.
He predicted the new financial services centre, will be the biggest outside Dublin and Cork.
Meanwhile, Meath County Council Director of Services for Economic Development, Kevin Stewart said it was a huge boost to Navan and Meath.
“It is an exciting project and the potential is huge. It is a complete game-changer for Navan. We have it in our economic stragtegy to help reverse the commute that takes people out of the country every day.
“This will provide jobs for people who are currently commuting to Dublin.”
Mr Stewart said the development had the potential to attract opportunities in the post Brexit era.
“We have been working with Mr Moran on this since last year on pre-planning issues and expect a planning application in due course,” he said.
Cllr Joe Reilly, who had been working with Mr Moran on the proposal said it had the potential to change the economic and physical face of Navan for generations to come and the company would become Navan’s biggest employer - bigger than Tara Mines.
Cllr Jim Holloway said the development represents a win for entrepreneurship at a high level.
“Everything should be done to facilitate the expansion of this development.
“The site in question is significant and if developed to the highest architectural standard can lift Navan to a new level of build and business.
“I understand the type of business and how it has been developed so far is a cause for great optimism,” he said.