Mercy Order looks to rezone 27 acres of prime Navan property

A major application to rezone over 27 acres of prime Navan property owned by the Sisters of Mercy has been made in a submission to the Navan Draft Development Plan. The Mercy Order owns a large swathe of property stretching from Athlumney to the Dublin Road in Navan, and is looking for 40 per cent of it to be zoned residential. Murray O"Laoire, Architects, were appointed in November 2008 to investigate rezoning options on the nuns" property, which includes Athlumney Castle, the old abbey and graveyard and a Norman motte. The Order has been based at Athlumney since 1879. In its submission, the firm says it was making the submission on behalf of WK Nowlan and Company and represents the collective assessments of a number of locally proficient design and associated consultants, including architects, conservation architects, urban designers, planning consultants and transport and civil engineers. The property in question is currently in the portfolio of the Sisters of Mercy, and comprises a rich collection of open lands and built heritage features on one expansive bank of the Boyne as it flows towards its confluence with the Blackwater, the submission says. The Sisters of Mercy are seeking residential mixed use zoning on 40 per cent of the site, or some 11.1 acres. Some 25 per cent would be zoned protected heritage with associated visitor facilities on 6.9 acres. Some 20 per cent is proposed to be environmental quality of 5.5 acres, and a further 15 per cent open space recreation of 4.2 acres around the Norman motte. The Accordia Living Project in Cambridge, winner of the 2008 Stirling Prize for Architecture, is cited as an example of an appropriate residential development. Low-density semi-detached housing is suggested, and mixed residential landmark housing towards the river. The plans talk of unlocking the environmental amenity of the river Boyne, creating pedestrian bridges, walkways and cycle tracks. The property includes the 12th century Norman motte, around which a public park is proposed, the 13th century chapel ruin and graveyard and the 17th century Tudor Athlumney Castle, as well as convent related structures which the nuns would retain as a residence. Possible tourism elements of the proposal suggested include a boutique hotel, Avoca village-style retail model, craft workshop, residential or cultural college, cookery school, visitor/education centre, gallery, music centre or school or a museum. Community gain includes a town park, heritage hub, ecological and sustainable gardens, allotments, water-based activity centre, pathways for cycling and a running track, and an interpretative centre. The submission is supported by a commentary from well-known economist Jim Power outlining its benefit to the area. The submissions have yet to be discussed at a Navan area meeting of county council members, and a full council meeting. In his response, the Meath County Manager Tom Dowling said the subject lands are included within a zone of archaeological importance and contain three recorded monuments: Athlumney Castle Motte, Athlumney Church and Athlumney Castle. The structures are also registered as protected structures in the Record of Protected Structures. Having regard to the sensitive nature of the subject lands, it is considered prudent to retain the existing H1 zoning objective on the subject lands, the manager added, and no change is recommended on the current status.