The screams by passengers on Tayto Park's planned new €15.5m roller-coaster won't impact on nearby residents.

That is according to Dutch experts and the park's owner Raymond Coyle, who said yesterday that the new roller coaster comes with a series of specific measures aimed at eliminating any noise impacts for nearby residents.

"There will be screams, but they will be drowned out," said Mr Coyle.

Last July, An Bord Pleanala turned down planning permission for Mr Coyle's previous roller coaster plan due mainly to noise impacts from the riders' screams on nearby residents.

Four residents - Jeremy Butcher and Suzanne Galwey along with Donal Greene and Clare Smith - had brought the case before An Bord Pleanala after Meath County Council gave the plan the green light.

Mr Coyle said yesterday that he was "shocked" by the planning board's decision, adding: "I couldn't believe it when I was told."

Mr Coyle has now lodged plans for the new roller coaster project, made up of two rides, with Meath County Council.

He added that the new roller coaster "has the wow factor, because we do need to keep the magic going. It is the first of its type in Europe."

The 'Coaster 2021' project is made up of a 31m-high and 748m-long Suspended Thrill Coaster (STC) and a Family Boomerang (FB) ride which would be 24.2m high and 238m long.

Documentation lodged with the plans states that, if the roller coaster doesn't proceed, "the longer-term viability of the park would be brought into question".

The new plan contains 14 separate noise reduction measures drawn up by Dutch amusement ride manufacturers Vekoma, which has made roller coasters across the world, including Disney's Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain rides.

Intense

Planning documentation lodged with the council states that Vekoma "are confident that the proposed Coaster 2021 will not have a noise impact within the setting of Tayto Park".

The noise reduction measures include three "noise retention tunnels" to mitigate patrons' screams at the most intense parts of the track.

One tunnel is to be modelled on a castle round tower and a second tower is to be modelled with vines.

A decision is due on the plan toward the end of January.