An Taisce lodges objection to high-tech South Meath park

A multi-million euro high-spec educational and research/technology campus planned for the Carton Estate outside Maynooith is facing delays after An Taisce lodged an appeal to An Bord Pleanala against the granting of planning permission for the project by Meath County Council. The council had last month granted planning permission for the fourth level business incubator campus to be known as SMART - South Meath Research and Technology Park. The park is to incorporate a high-tech biotech business campus, an office complex and a residential development with ancillary services in a collaboration between Glashrooneen Ltd and NUI Maynooth. An Taisce"s move was sharply criticised yesterday (Tuesday) by independent Meath councillor Brian Fitzgerald who said that 'An Taisce has now surpassed itself in its obstruction of worthwhile employment-generating projects in County Meath', while one of the promoters of the project, Conor Mallaghan, said An Taisce"s appeal was 'unfortunate' but that the company would put up a robust defence of the project when it comes to the public hearing stage. The project had been seen as a novel innovation in this country, particularly at a time when the Government is promoiting such research and development facilities. The park is modelled on successful US parks such as those in Palo Alto, California, and Microsoft at Redmond in Washington state. The first NUI Maynooth element in the SMART Park campus is to comprise an innovation and incubation centre which will enable the university to accommodate various commercial opportunities linked with its growing research activities. The development had its origins in a visit by the then Meath County Manager Joe Horan, council director of services Kevin Stewart and Cllr Brian Fitzgerald to Cary in North Carolina a decade ago with a view to building up links between Cary and County Meath. The campus is expected to be seen as an attractive location for people to work in, as it is close to all transport facilities and local amenities. The residential units with creche, retail and dining facilities is designed to attract people to work, rest and play without the need to commute. The SMART campus will have a major academic input from NUI Maynooth whose authorties have been working closely with Glashrooneen throughout the design, development and planning stages of the project. Business incubation units built in conjunction with office units will require a concentration of qualified third-level graduates. Cllr Fitzgerald said yesterday that he deplored An Taisce"s decision to appeal the planning permission granted by Meath County Council. 'I am bitterly disappointed. Here we are in the middle of an economic crisis for the country and An Taisce decides yet again to indulge itself with this objection. Somebody has to ask the question - what mandate have these people? Let them give the answer to the people are are joining the dole queues at the moment.' Mr Mallaghan said that An Taisce"s appeal was 'not 100 per cent unexpected'. He said the company behind the SMART project had been successful in other applications to Bord Pleanala and was confident it would be successful on this occasion. 'This appeal will put the project back for three to four months but we will be putting up a robust defence of it. We will fight it at that level,' Mr Mallaghan added.