An Bord Pleanala has approved the construction of a €600 million bypass between Clonee and Kells, Co Meath, following a protracted planning process and an oral hearing at which objections were heard to the plan.
Meath County Council told an oral hearing last year that the 47-kilometre stretch of tolled motorway would cut traffic volumes through Dunshaughlin and Navan on the existing N3 by up to three quarters.
Bodies who objected to the plan included the now abolished heritage authority Duchas and the Columban missionaries, who own a substantial amount of land through which the motorway was to run.
Duchas's particular concern was the proximity of the motorway route to the historic Hill of Tara site.
The Columban Mission Awareness centre at Dalgan park is used as a retreat centre and the grounds and wildlife reserve in which it is situated is widely used by the general public for recreational purposes.
The appeals board, which made its decision last Friday and published it today, said the motorway scheme was necessary to provide adequately for the existing and projected traffic growth. It also said the plan was in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and would not have significant adverse affects on the environment.
The board has ordered 10 specific amendments to the original plan, including changes to the design to protect the amenities of residential properties close to Rathbeggan Lake. Environmental surveys will also be required on buildings and trees on the route to protect bats and the authority has also ordered that hedgerow and tree felling shall not be carried out during the bird nesting season.
A design modification to allow for the re-opening of the disused Clonsilla to Navan railway line without the need for the railway line to cross the motorway has also been included.
An Bord Pleanala has also requested that the National Roads Authority conduct a survey and prepare a record of local cultural and historical place names and items of folklore interest affected by the route of the motorway.
However, this request is not likely to satisfy environmental campaigners or those concerned with the historic nature of many of the sites along the route.