Resolution to St Valentine's Day objections anticipated

Meath GAA Co Board officials are optimistic that objections to the plans to develop the Centre of Excellence at Dunganny will be resolved amicably over the coming weeks and that Meath Co Council will be able to give the green light to the project by the end of March.

Objections were lodged on St Valentine’s Day only hours before the deadline expired.

Discussions with the people who raised concerns are on-going and it is anticipated that the matter will be resolved without having to take the matter to An Bórd Pleanála.

That would enable Meath Co Council to make a decision on the proposed planning application by the end of March.

On the basis that planning permission could be granted, the Infrastructure Committee sought expressions of interest from suitably qualified contractors and of the 19 submissions received nine of those satisfied all the criteria.

With the majority of the cost of the Dunganny project likely to be funded through loans and grants, delegates on Monday night sanctioned borrowings of some €2,450,000 with €1,000,000 of that pledged from Croke Park and the balance through AIB Bank.

Both amounts have been provisionally approved, subject to specific terms and conditions, with grant aid also to be sought as part of the overall package.

Conall Collier