Revealed: How names for housing estates in Meath are decided
Names proposed for housing estates have to be “linked” to the locality in which the scheme is located, Meath councillors have heard.
At a recent meeting of the Navan Municipal District, Independent Councillor Francis Deane submitted a question seeking clarity on how names for new residential developments are chosen across the county.
Cllr Deane said: “With reference to new residential development my question is - how are names of housing estates chosen?”
In response, officials said the naming of estates and places is set out in the Meath County Development Plan, which states:“The name proposed for all residential developments shall be clearly linked with the locality in which the scheme is located.”
“In all cases, the name chosen for a residential development shall reflect local place names — particularly townlands or local names which reflect the landscape — or shall reflect culture and history, including names of historical persons who have some association with the area,” the local authority said.
They added that proposed names must be in English and accompanied by an Irish translation, and that name plates should be fixed to walls and buildings where they can be “clearly seen”.
Meanwhile, the final decision on naming rests with a dedicated committee comprising the Senior Executive Officer in Planning, the Senior Executive Planner, the Conservation Officer, and the Irish Language Officer.