The controversial Slane bypass project in County Meath is set to face a judicial review challenge, just months after finally receiving planning permission following a 12-year battle.
Meath County Council confirmed that a member of the public intends to lodge a judicial review against the N2 Slane bypass, which received approval from An Coimisiún Pleanála in July.
The proposed development would create a 3.5-kilometer dual carriageway, a combined footway and cycleway, and a 258-meter bridge. The project also includes plans to develop Slane village and improve traffic management on the N51 between the proposed bypass and the village center.
The bypass has faced a long and contentious approval process. An Bord Pleanála initially refused planning permission in 2012, citing concerns about the road’s proximity to the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage site.
When permission was finally granted this summer, Meath County Council Cathaoirleach Wayne Harding hailed the decision, stating the project would “address the transport needs of residents, businesses and visitors in the village of Slane and in the wider strategic road network.”
Harding emphasized the safety benefits, arguing the scheme would “remove the bottleneck in the village, reducing traffic congestion and moving more heavy goods vehicles out of Slane, making the air much cleaner for all residents.”
However, the expected judicial review suggests opposition to the project persists, potentially creating further delays for a scheme that has already faced more than a decade of planning obstacles.
A council spokesperson declined to provide additional comment on the ongoing matter, stating only that they had received confirmation of the intended legal challenge.
The judicial review process could significantly delay construction of the bypass, adding to the project’s already lengthy timeline since its initial proposal.