Despite reassurances from backers of the project that the proposed scheme will enhance the prospect of having the station reopened, fears are being expressed locally that allowing the development go ahead could end any prospect of Iarnród �?ireann agreeing to the proposed reopening.

Despite pressure from Dunleer's residents, Iarnród �?ireann has consistently claimed it doesn't have the finance required to upgrade the line to accommodate another stop between Dundalk and Drogheda stations.

Peachglen Construction, in partnership with Dunleer CoOwnership, is seeking planning permission for a scheme on a site fronting onto Main Street and backing onto the disused train station.

The proposed development would include 167 residential units, an anchor supermarket, a public house, a restaurant, 11 retail units and five offices.

According to the developers, the layout of their proposed scheme will improve access to the station and will facilitate rather than hinder any future plan to reopen it.

"In fact the entire scheme has been designed with the aim of bringing the train station back to the heart of Dunleer, " says Dunleer CoOwnership spokesman Paul Connolly.

The plan includes proposals to widen Station Road, which cuts through the development to link Main Street directly with the train station.

The developers are keen to emphasise that they have consulted with local planners to ensure the scheme fulfils the aims of the planning authorities. The current local area plan aims to expand the town-centre environment of Dunleer and the proposed site is zoned for "town centre, commercial and residential".

However, local opponents of the plan fear the scheme will hinder prospects of reopening the station.

They're concerned that a development so close to the station will curtail access and result in insufficient parking space being available in the station's environs.

"I believe any development taking place in close proximity to the station could jeopardise future prospects of reopening the station, " says Ged Nash, a local county councillor and a Labour Party candidate in the upcoming general election.

"The argument has been made that the population is too low to warrant a reopening. But we have people moving here now from Drogheda and Dundalk because it's somewhat cheaper to buy a house in Dunleer, " says Nash.

"At the moment we have literally hundreds of people from the village driving out onto the M1 every morning and heading off to work in Dublin. Others are driving to Dundalk and Drogheda to take the train. It's time we provided the option of a local train stop to make it easier for people to make their journey.

"But the reality is there doesn't seem to be any intention on Iarnród �?ireann's part or on the government's part to finance reopening the station."

In the Dail last month, local Fine Gael TD Fergus O'Dowd questioned transport minister Martin Cullen about plans to reopen Dunleer train station. "I am advised by Iarnród �?ireann that it is currently reviewing the reopening of Dunleer Station in the context of planned developments adjacent to the station and in Dunleer village, " the minister replied.

"I understand from Iarnród �?ireann that the commercial case for reopening the station would be strengthened if the costs involved were funded as part of these proposed developments."

O'Dowd says reopening the station "would be a tremendous boost of confidence to all mid-Louth and commuters in particular would save many hours of travel and have significantly more quality family time."

Green Party councillor, Mark Dearey is less sanguine.

"I think this development effectively writes off any possibility of reopening the railway station in the future. It's clever of the developers to keep open the prospect of the station reopening because that will add to the value of the property they construct on the site.

"But I think Iarnród �?ireann will look at the situation and adjudicate that the development has ruled out that prospect."