The remnants of the once-vast Blackcastle Demesne on the northern edge of the river Boyne in Navan will be of interest to housebuilders when it is offered for sale shortly through DTZ Sherry FitzGerald.
Rory Breen of that agency is guiding €3 million for the last remaining section of the estate extending to 13.76 hectares (34 acres) and located closest to the town centre.
Most of the original estate running between the Slane Road and the Boyne accommodates a range of housing estates developed during the property boom.
Blackcastle House, once the finest house in the town, was destroyed in an arson attack about 20 years ago after being left unoccupied.
DTZ rightly describes Blackcastle as “one of the best remaining development opportunities in Navan”.
The holding is located in an elevated setting looking down on mature woodlands overhanging the meandering river.
The land has two different zoning objectives. DTZ estimates that 6.82 hectares (16.85 acres) is suitable for a residential development up to 2019, and that the balance of 6.93 hectares (17.14 acres) will be designated as high amenity lands. Meath County Council will be looking for an overall master plan and the indications are that it will probably allow a density of at least 35 houses per hectare, suggesting an overall density of about 240 homes.
