Courts / Meath / Report

Challenge to proposed restoration of Meath classical school over bat roosting

Summary

A High Court challenge has been filed by engineer and architect Paul Leech against Meath County Council's plans to renovate the derelict St Patrick's Classical School in Navan. Leech argues that the council failed to conduct a second bat survey during the summer months, as required by the EU Habitats Directive, and therefore lacked the necessary information to determine whether the proposed works would comply with the directive. He also claims the council erred in law by not considering the impact on two nearby special areas of conservation. Leech, a former pupil of the school, seeks orders to quash the council's development consent and declarations that the council's assessment was unlawful. The case was adjourned by Mr Justice Charles Meenan to a December hearing. The court will consider whether the council's failure to obtain adequate bat survey data and assess environmental impacts constitutes a legal error. The proceedings are ongoing and no final decision has yet been made.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Challenge to proposed restoration of Meath classical school over bat roosting. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• February 2022 Other
• 2022-10-20 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report