Planning permission sought for sand and gravel quarry activities in Laois
The planning application includes mention of on-site equipment for a dry screener, a loading shovel, a dumper, an excavator, and a concrete wheel wash at entrance.
It will also involve the installation of a new site entrance, with removal of hedgerows to the south and north onto the public road L6719 to achieve 90 metre sightlines.
There has been a series of objections to the planning proposal, with concerns around traffic flow on a narrow road, creating what some objections described as an 'unsafe' environment for walkers and cyclists.
There were also concerns raised about rising dust from quarry activities, and further concerns around 'undermining' land quality from soil run off.
Some lodged objections have raised potential issues about ecosystem impacts, and many state that there was 'no consultation' with neigbouring property and landowners.
A fenced off buffer zone of 10 metres between existing hedgerows and the proposed excavation area has been allowed to protect the ecological value.
A restoration plan has also been included in the application, which will reinstate the site to agricultural use at the end of the project.
An Environmental and Planning Report, Ecological Impact Assessment Report, Appropriate Assessment Screening Report and detailed site drawings have been included as part of the application.
Uisce Eireann has provided the applicant with a condition to enter into a 'connection agreement' with the state body to provide for a service connection(s) to the public water supply and/or wastewater collection network.
Laois County Council approved the decision early last month, and a decision is due by An Bord Pleanála by August, 25.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
17 hours ago
- The Journal
Archeological expert criticises Wexford council over destruction of 'historic' homes
A FORMER PRESIDENT of the British Archeological Association has criticised Wexford County Council for its handling of a historic part of the county town. The comments were made after the local authority and the State planning authority gave approval for a developer to demolish houses dating to the mid 1800s in an area known as The Faythe. Located close to Wexford Harbour near the south-east coast, The Faythe is in a historic part of Wexford town where its narrow streets crisscross eras of the last several hundred years of Irish history. Dr Richard Gem told The Journal that it was important to see The Fayth granted special conservation status so that the area could be developed in line with the historic nature of the area. He said it was a matter of 'some surprise and concern' that the area is not included among the Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) designated in Wexford's County Development Plan. However, Gem said it was 'even more extraordinary' that the nearest designated area 'terminates precisely at the point where The Faythe commences – as if to suggest, quite misleadingly, that there is nothing there in the townscape or architecture worth conserving'. 'It is not difficult to see that with increasing pressures nationally to meet current housing needs by developing land behind houses, the historical and archaeological interest of The Faythe is especially vulnerable,' Gem said. Residents fighting against the development in Wexford have criticised the decision to give approval, pointing to a planning report that warned the development would be 'crammed' into the old area. They say that the case raises legitimate questions over how older towns are developed amid the backdrop of the housing crisis. They are now seeking to acquire protected and conservation status for the area known as The Faythe. Planning permission Two years ago, Co Wexford-based developer Bawn Developments applied for planning permission to knock three houses for a block of apartments and 11 houses, and take green space as part of the grounds for the development. In late 2023, Wexford County Council initially granted permission despite 90 objections, but the proposals eventually ended up before An Bord Pleanála. The approval came despite an An Bord Pleanála inspector warning it would make for a 'crammed development', while an established architecture and heritage expert has said he finds it 'extraordinary' that the area is not designated with conservation status. The council has defended the plans as much needed for the area and to address the housing crisis in the county, where over 1,500 households are on the social housing list awaiting new accommodation. Advertisement Some of the locals alongside the mural to champion accordion player George Ross, who lived on the street. The three homes earmarked for destruction sit on the corner of the street and are approximately 150 years old. One house was previously a thatched cottage and dates back to the early 1700s. Then, in March, Bawn was given the greenlight to go ahead and knock the homes to prepare for development. This came after An Coimisiún Pleanála, formerly known as An Bord Pleanála, overruled its own inspector who had supported many of the community's concerns. A local community group, called Fight 4 The Faythe, has been established and has been holding weekly protests and marches against the development every week since. They have pointed to planning authorities description of the homes as habitable prior to being sold. When speaking to The Journal , Fight 4 The Faythe founder Sue Rea said that they would continue to oppose the development and hold peaceful protests over the months to come. 'We are in a housing crisis and this has to be acknowledged,' Rea said. 'However, surely town planners and those making planning decisions should be considerate of existing residents and provision of amenities.' What did the inspector's report say? In her report, inspector Angela Brereton warned that the site would make for a 'crammed form of development' if approved. 'It would not provide for a replacement building of exceptional quality that would have a positive impact on the visual quality and character of the area,' Brereton said in the report last November. She added that scrapping the existing houses and replacing them with the apartments and other housing would run contrary to objectives ranging from built heritage to sustainable development. Despite Brereton's issues with the proposals, the planning board overruled her findings in a 2-1 vote. Bye bye mural: the tribute to George Ross on No 94 in the process of being removed. For the past seven years, the corner had been marked with a mural of a former Fleadh winner and accordion player, George Ross, who hailed from The Faythe. That has been removed in recent weeks as the development got underway. In its response to concerns raised, Wexford County Council said that the homes were not Protected Structures and that the mural does not have planning permission. It added that the 'contribution the mural makes to the historic streetscape is entirely subjective' for onlookers. Wexford County Council and Bawn Developments were both contacted for comment and did not respond. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Agriland
07-08-2025
- Agriland
Appeal against retention permission for tree removal at Tirlán premises
An appeal has been lodged to An Coimisiún Pleanála about the removal of existing trees and hedges at Tirlán Farmlife, Graiguecullen branch, Co. Laois. In May this year, Laois County Council received an application for retention planning permission from Tirlán for "the removal of existing trees and hedges to a 22.5m portion of the front boundary adjacent to the entrance gate and replacement of same with a 2.7m high paladin fence". The application also noted "affixing" advertising signage along the front boundary fencing and entrance gate amounting to a total of 12m², and the erection of building signage onto existing structures within the site amounting to a total sum of 15.3m². In the application, Tirlán outlined that the proposed development did not involve the demolition of any structure, is not inside a strategic development zone, and does not require a waste licence. The company also stated that development did not consist of work to a protected structure, is not located within an architectural conservation area, and did not require the preparation of an environmental impact statement, or licence from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). During the process seeking retention planning permission, an objection was lodged by a nearby resident with several concerns. The objection to the county council stated: "I live directly across the road from this premises. My family's house predates the establishment of the Tirlán commercial outlet. "As pointed out in my correspondence... the removal of the trees and trees hedgerow late last year considerably affected me and my family. "The present application makes no attempt to address the issues raised by the unauthorised development. The trees and hedging which were removed formed part of an existing hedgerow which was a field boundary going back to the time before the time the Tirlán premises was built," the letter of objection continued. The neighbour outlined his belief that the proposed retention will do nothing to "prevent the visual intrusion, noise and dust nuisance" which he claimed operations on the premises create. "I wish to be put back in the same position I was in before the unauthorised development took place, with a screen of mature evergreen trees reaching to the height of the remaining hedgerow along the front of the premises," he argued to Laois County Council. However, despite the objections, Laois County Council in recent weeks decided to grant conditional retention planning permission to Tirlán. The conditions included the planting, within three months, of trees and shrubs of species native to the area to form naturalised hedgerows similar to existing native hedgerows in the vicinity. Another condition, was for a payment to Laois County Council's Development Contribution Scheme, in respect of public infrastructure and facilities. The decision to grant retention permission has now been appealed by the same neighbour to the higher planning authority, An Coimisiún Pleanála, which has stated that a decision is due by November 24, 2025.
Irish Independent
22-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Duleek Linear Park in Meath set for green makeover as council seeks public feedback
Coimisiún na Meán Today at 06:00 Meath County Council has announced redevelopment plans for Duleek Linear Park, aiming to transform the much-loved green space into a more accessible, and environmentally rich public amenity. Under the Part 8 planning process, the council has proposed a series of upgrades that include both hard and soft landscaping works, as well as the removal of several outdated structures currently in place. Local residents, community groups, and stakeholders are now being encouraged to have their say as part of the public consultation. The project is focused on enhancing the park's usability and visual appeal while preserving its natural setting. The plans include site preparation and clearance, which would involve the removal of old footpaths, timber fencing, a wooden stage, picnic benches, a short stone path, and a 'kissing gate.' Hard landscaping features, such as new buff tarmacadam walkways, two shaded seating structures, a feature stone entrance wall, age-friendly seating, and 235 metres of railings is said to be part of the plan. A new children's play piece will also be installed. Meanwhile soft landscaping enhancements, featuring new grass meadows, native hedges and shrubbery (including holly, hazel, wild rose, and ivy), and colourful wildflower beds. According to Meath County Council, the project has already undergone screening in line with environmental and habitats directives, and no Environmental Impact Assessment is required. However, members of the public have the right to request a screening determination from An Bord Pleanála within four weeks of the notice date. They can also submit their feedback online or in writing to Meath County Council. The consultation is open until Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
