DevelopmentLandA large parcel of land is available in the heart of Dunboyne, Co Meath. For sale by tender on November 30th, it is zoned primarily for residential use and is available in one or two lots, one of these for a shop with a residential component.

The combined site of 2.32 hectares (5.73 acres) is zoned village centre/residential in the Meath County Development Plan 2001. It is on the eastern side of the Navan Road in the village, about 19kms from Dublin, 6kms from the M50/M3 junction and about 32kms east of Navan town.

Agent Lisney do not provide a guide price, but sources say bidding should be in the €2-€3 million per acre range or €11-€17 million for the entire parcel.

The land, owned by a group of individuals, had been let to the GAA for some time. The land now provides a highly attractive opportunity for developers given the town's current significant appeal, its ease of access and the high densities expected for this type of urban development.

Dunboyne is one of the eastern region's fastest growing towns, experiencing a population boom during the late 1990s. Its population rose to 7,750 in 2002, a 41.8 per cent increase on 1996. The county development plan projects a population of about 10,000 for Dunboyne by 2011.

There are already substantial retail and commercial facilities available in the town but there is still plenty of opportunity for residential development. The county plan states the lands are zoned for new residential communities with ancillary mixed uses, including community facilities, neighbourhood facilities and employment uses. Significantly, it also indicates "higher densities" should apply.

Transport access includes bus routes into the village, the M3 is nearby and there are plans to reopen an existing rail commuter line.