Omniplex Holdings has expressed disappointment that An Bord Pleanála has overruled a decision by Meath County Council allowing the company to develop a nine-screen cinema in Navan Retail Park.

The company said the council’s decision was appealed by two rival cinema operators.

Mark Anderson, company director, said planning permissions for Wexford in 2008 and Tralee in 2007 were granted under similar circumstances. They intended to invest €4-5 million in a state-of-the-art cinema.

Navan Retail Park is well outside the town and would have had difficulty attracting pedestrians.