ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS)

The archaeological and historical background of this area of Meath is outlined in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS identified two RMP sites as being impacted by the route, which were located in Ross townland on Section 2 (Dunshaughlin-Navan) of the route. These were an enclosure (RMP ME038-001) and an adjacent field-system (RMP ME038-002), both identified as cropmarks, neither of which had any upstanding features. The EIS field survey identified 15 possible sites throughout the scheme (Sections 1 & 3-5). An extensive geophysical survey, carried out as part of the EIS, identified six definite new archaeological sites (the road was moved to avoid three) and 23 further areas of archaeological potential, that it considered may or may not be archaeological sites.

Click here to download Volumes 1 and 2 of the M3 Clonee to North of Kells Environmental Impact Statement.

EIS AND ORAL HEARING

The EIS was published in March 2002 and comprises seven volumes of text, seven volumes of drawings and seven volumes of appendices (specialist report detail). This was followed by a 28 day Oral Hearing in Autumn 2002. The scheme was approved, with modifications in August 2003. No High Court objection to An Bord Pleanála's decision was raised and the scheme became operative in September 2003. In approving the scheme An Bord Pleanála stated that:

"Having regard to the provisions of the current Co. Meath Development Plan, the National Development Plan 2000-2006 and the Strategic Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area, the existing and predicted traffic flows and to the mitigation measures proposed in the environmental impact statement, it is considered that, subject to the modifications* set out in the Schedule to this order, the proposed road development would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and would not have significant adverse effects on the environment."

An Bord Pleanála Decision on County Meath Motorway Order and associated Road Development Approval Application for the M3 Clonee-North of Kells Motorway Scheme 2002. August 2003

*The M3 was approved without any modifications relating to archaeology. This approval was subject to the following modification: 'The road authority shall undertake a survey and prepare a report (which shall be available for public display) of local cultural and historical placenames and items of folklore interest affected by the route of the proposed Motorway Scheme under the direction of the project Archaeologist and in consultation with the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society and the Dunboyne Historical Society.'

The Inspector's report is available in full from An Bord Pleanála (www.pleanala.ie) and runs to six volumes. It gives details of all the proceedings, who attended, what evidence was given and the Inspector's conclusions and recommendations. Arguments about route selection and the archaeological impact on the Hill of Tara and the associated landscape were covered at length during the hearing and were considered fully by the Inspector and An Bord Pleanála in making their decision.

'Having regard to all of the evidence given at the Hearing and the cross-examination on the archaeology impacts in the Tara/Skreen area presented at the Hearing and to the details set out in the EIS, I am satisfied that the route as proposed would not have a significant impact on the archaeological landscape associated with the Hill of Tara, as indicated by the area designated as the core zone of the RMP Map SK 500. I also consider that the route proposed will not impact significantly on the archaeological landscape associated with the Hill of Skreen'.

Page 983 Brendan Devlin, Inspector appointed by An Bord Pleanála. Report to An Bord Pleanála on Oral Hearing into County Meath Motorway Order and the associated Road Development Approval Application for the M3 Clonee to North of Kells Motorway Scheme 2002. June 2003.

Categories of Potential Impacts considered during the EIS Process

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