Carton House expansion plan rejected
An Bord Pleanála has overturned the decision of Meath County Council to allow the construction of a business and technology park in the grounds of Carton House, one of Ireland’s most important Georgian mansions. The joint venture between NUI Maynooth and Glashrooneen Ltd would “seriously injure the setting of Carton House” and would be contrary to the proper and sustainable development of the area, An Bord Pleanála said. In its ruling An Bord Pleanála describes Carton House and its estate as “one of the most important elements of Ireland’s architectural, cultural and historic heritage” and as having “international significance”.
The house and its lands which straddle the Meath and Kildare border, were in the 18th century home to the Earl of Kildare, but were turned into a luxury hotel and golf resort in the early 1990s despite strenuous objections from An Taisce and the Irish Georgian Society.
Notwithstanding this intervention the estate retained much of its original character and its use as a golf resort was permitted with the objective of preserving the property for future generations, An Bord Pleanála said. “The proposed development, by reason of its nature, scale and location would entirely conflict with such an objective and would interfere with the character of the landscape, which it is necessary to preserve, and would seriously injure the setting of Carton House,” it said.
