Case Study 2:
Meath County Council – Civic HQ Relocation
A Collaborative Housing & Infrastructure Success
Strategic Background
The relocation of Meath County Council’s Civic Headquarters to Navan Town Centre marked a pivotal milestone in the Council’s strategic infrastructure vision. The move was not simply logistical — it was part of a broader ambition to align civic operations with the Meath County Development Plan, support the regeneration of Navan’s urban core, and improve access and service delivery for over 200,000 residents across the county.
The original Civic HQ, located on the outskirts of Navan, had become increasingly constrained by space and accessibility limitations. Consolidating operations into a new, purpose-built facility in the heart of the town allowed Meath County Council to centralise its departments, expand capacity, and meet growing administrative demands in line with long-term planning forecasts.
This strategic development contributes directly to regional planning objectives set out under Ireland 2040, supporting town-centre rejuvenation, sustainable land use, and integrated civic infrastructure investment.
Planning & Collaboration
This relocation project required deep, cross-departmental coordination and an adaptable phasing strategy. Meath County Council worked in close collaboration with internal units, design consultants, procurement advisors, and external delivery teams — all while maintaining full civic services to the public throughout the move.
Brady Hughes Consulting acted as a key coordination partner throughout the process, helping to align logistical planning with council operations and ensuring a phased move that was both functional and forward-thinking.
Engagement across housing, infrastructure, planning, environment, and community services divisions was essential. Phases were carefully structured to ensure operational continuity, with contingency built in for priority service areas.
Our Role & Services
Community Collaboration
As a civic authority, maintaining open communication with the public was a key priority. Brady Hughes Consulting supported Meath County Council’s internal communications strategy — helping to coordinate community updates, manage FAQs, and facilitate briefing documents for elected representatives and public queries.
This ensured that both internal stakeholders and the public were kept informed during transitions, helping to maintain public trust and continuity of service across planning, housing, environment, and community functions.
infrastructure
This project required significant logistical planning, including temporary office setups, IT migration, furniture decanting, and phased staff relocation. Working closely with the Council’s ICT, facilities, and infrastructure teams, we developed a move matrix that minimised downtime and allowed departments to maintain statutory responsibilities without disruption.
The new HQ was constructed to NZEB standards (Nearly Zero Energy Building), with enhanced public access and digital integration to support modern civic operations.
sustainability
Beyond operational needs, this project aligns with broader goals around sustainability, urban renewal, and service equity. By consolidating services in Navan Town Centre, the council reduced reliance on car-based commuting to the periphery, supported local footfall, and activated the town’s civic zone as a key regional anchor.
This move reflects an integrated vision of civic place-making, where design, operations, and urban strategy converge to deliver lasting value to the public.
Milestones & Project Outcomes
Completion of site development, design coordination, and planning approval
Tendering of contractor and service providers
Phased relocation of multiple departments over an 18-month delivery period
Final commissioning and staff integration into the new Civic HQ
Active public services maintained throughout all relocation stages
Challenges & How We Overcame Them
Continuity of Services:
By sequencing moves and establishing clear communication channels between departments, we helped prevent service disruptions.
Space Limitations During Transition:
Temporary accommodations were sourced and fitted to meet operational needs before final occupancy.
Procurement Timelines:
Our project management team worked closely with the Council’s procurement unit to align delivery schedules with statutory requirements and funding conditions.
Insights for Future Projects
This relocation was more than a move — it was a transformational civic investment, positioning Meath County Council to deliver on its commitments to public accessibility, urban revitalisation, and long-term service capacity.
Brady Hughes Consulting is proud to have contributed strategic insight, logistical coordination, and multi-stakeholder alignment to a project that reinforces Navan’s role as a civic and regional hub.
Summary & Strategic Impact
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