Notice Pursuant to Section 175 and Section 177AE of the Planning and Development Act 2000, As Amended and the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, As Amended
Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme
Mountmellick, Co. Laois
Notice of Planning Application to An Coimisiún Pleanála (formerly An Bord Pleanála)
for Approval
Notice is hereby given that Laois County Council intends to seek approval from An Coimisiún Pleanálaunder Section 175 and Section 177AE of the Planning and Development Act 2000, As Amended to carry out proposed works in Mountmellick, Co. Laois entitled the Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme.
The Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme will comprise a series of walls and embankments along the Owenass, Clontygar, Pound and Garroon rivers, a surface water pumping station, the realignment of a length of the Clontygar, the reconstruction of Owenass Bridge, the provision of a demountable flood gate at Convent Bridge, the provision of eighteen culverts and the removal of vegetation. The proposed works are as follows:
• Construction of flood defence walls from Mill Bridge to Convent Bridge, including the provision of a pumping station near the N80 at Irishtown to maintain the capacity of the surface water drainage system from the Davitt Road area. The walls to the north of the Owenass are c. 517m long and up to 3.8m in height and will be clad with stone. The wall immediately downstream of Mill Bridge will form a wall along the side of the children’s park area. The three sculptures in the park will be repositioned. A demountable access gate will be positioned at the upstream face of Convent Bridge. The walls to the south of the Owenass are c. 210m long and up to 2.7m in height and will be clad with stone. A flood wall also extends along the rear of the Grove Park properties measuring c. 885m in length and up to 2.8m in height and will be clad with stone where clearly visible.
• Construction of a flood defence wall downstream of Convent Bridge along the eastern side of the Owenass for a length of approximately 165m with a height up to 2.4m and clad with stone.
• Construction of a flood defence wall along the north side of the Clontygar Stream between the stream and the Davitt Road area. The wall is c. 475m in length with a maximum height of 1.5m. The works at this location will include channel realignment along a 445m length of the Clontygar to re-naturalise the alignment of the stream.
• Construction of a combination of flood defence walls and embankments from Owenass Bridge to Mill Bridge. The reinforced concrete walls are c. 615m in length and up to 2.8m in height. The embankments will be constructed using non-porous material and faced with grass-seeded topsoil. Walls will be clad with stone. The embankments are c. 1,295m in length and up to 2.2m in height. Ramps allowing vehicular access across the embankments will be provided where required.
• Construction of a combination of flood defence walls and embankments upstream of Owenass Bridge. The reinforced concrete walls are c. 266m in length and up to 1.9m in height and will be clad with stone where clearly visible by the public. The embankments will be constructed using non-porous material and faced with grass-seeded topsoil. The embankments are c. 766m in length and up to 1.8m in height. Ramps allowing vehicular access across the embankments will be provided where required.
• Replacement of existing Owenass Bridge with a new bridge at the same location but with a larger span width below the structure. The new construction will re-use the stone from the existing bridge.
• Construction of flood defence embankments in the vicinity of Manor House, Manor Road and Manor Court. The embankments will be constructed using non-porous material and faced with grass-seeded topsoil. The embankments are c. 714m in length and up to 2.1m in height. Ramps allowing vehicular access across the embankments will be provided where required. Culverts will be provided through the new embankment to allow the passage of the Pound and Garroon.
• Construction of flood defence walls and embankments along the Garroon Stream. The reinforced concrete walls are c. 92m in length and up to 1.9m in height. The embankments will be constructed using non-porous material and faced with grass-seeded topsoil. The embankments are c. 246m in length and up to 1.3m in height. Ramps allowing vehicular access across the embankments will be provided where required.
• Construction of a flood defence wall and embankment in the vicinity of the Irishtown Garden Centre. The reinforced concrete walls are c. 70m in length and up to 1.3m in height. The embankments will be constructed using non-porous material and faced with grass-seeded topsoil. The embankments are c. 155m in length and up to 0.8m in height.
• To permit the safe and timely construction of the Scheme, a number of temporary site compounds will be established along the length of the Scheme. These will be formed by areas of stone hardstanding and will be fully removed and the areas reinstated on completion of the areas of the Scheme they are required for.
Which said works are all through the townlands of Townparks, Derrycloney, Ballycullenbeg, Acragar and Drinagh in the administrative area of Laois County Council.
An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) together with supporting documentation have been prepared as part of the application in respect of the proposed development.
An Coimisiún Pleanála may give approval to the application for the development with or without conditions and/or restrictions or may refuse the application for approval for the development.
A copy of the plans and particulars of the proposed development, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIAR) and the Natura Impact Statement (NIS) together with supporting documentation will be available for inspection free of charge, (or may be purchased on payment of a specified fee which shall not exceed the reasonable cost of making such a copy) during public opening hours (excluding Public Holidays) from 03/11/2025 to 15/12/2025 (inclusive of both dates), at the following locations:
The offices of An Coimisiún Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 V902
The offices of Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, JFL Ave., Portlaoise, Co. Laois R32 EHP9
Submissions or observations on the proposed development in relation to:
The implications of the proposed development for proper planning and sustainable development in the area in which the proposed development is situated, and
The likely effects on the environment of the proposed development, if carried out, and
The likely significant effects of the proposed development on a European site, if carried out may be made in writing only to An Coimisiún Pleanála (‘the Coimisiún’), 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1 D01 V902.
Any submissions / observations must be accompanied by a fee of €50 (except for certain prescribed bodies) and must be received by An Coimisiún Pleanála not later than 5.30 p.m. on 15/12/2025. Such submissions or observations should be titled “Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme” and must include the following information:
The name of the person, authority or body making the submission or observation, the name of the person, if any, acting on behalf of that person, authority or body, and the address to which any correspondence relating to the application should be sent,
The subject matter of the submission or observation, and
The grounds of the observation (i.e. reasons and arguments), and any items you wish to support your grounds of observation.
Any person may question the validity of any such decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála made in respect of the application for permission by way of an application for judicial review, under Order 84 of the Rule of the Superior Courts (S.I. No. 15 of 1986, as amended by S.I. No. 691 of 2011), in accordance with Section 50 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 as amended.
Any enquiries relating to the application process should be directed to An Coimisiún Pleanála (Telephone: 01 8588100).
A Compulsory Purchase Order, to which the proposed flood relief scheme development relates, has been made by Laois County Council and will be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála under separate cover.
Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme - Submission to an Coimisiun Pleanala
Primary tabs
Notice Pursuant to Section 175 and Section 177AE of the Planning and Development Act 2000, As Amended and the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, As Amended
Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme
Mountmellick, Co. Laois
Notice of Planning Application to An Coimisiún Pleanála (formerly An Bord Pleanála)
for Approval
Notice is hereby given that Laois County Council intends to seek approval from An Coimisiún Pleanála under Section 175 and Section 177AE of the Planning and Development Act 2000, As Amended to carry out proposed works in Mountmellick, Co. Laois entitled the Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme.
The Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme will comprise a series of walls and embankments along the Owenass, Clontygar, Pound and Garroon rivers, a surface water pumping station, the realignment of a length of the Clontygar, the reconstruction of Owenass Bridge, the provision of a demountable flood gate at Convent Bridge, the provision of eighteen culverts and the removal of vegetation. The proposed works are as follows:
• Construction of flood defence walls from Mill Bridge to Convent Bridge, including the provision of a pumping station near the N80 at Irishtown to maintain the capacity of the surface water drainage system from the Davitt Road area. The walls to the north of the Owenass are c. 517m long and up to 3.8m in height and will be clad with stone. The wall immediately downstream of Mill Bridge will form a wall along the side of the children’s park area. The three sculptures in the park will be repositioned. A demountable access gate will be positioned at the upstream face of Convent Bridge. The walls to the south of the Owenass are c. 210m long and up to 2.7m in height and will be clad with stone. A flood wall also extends along the rear of the Grove Park properties measuring c. 885m in length and up to 2.8m in height and will be clad with stone where clearly visible.
• Construction of a flood defence wall downstream of Convent Bridge along the eastern side of the Owenass for a length of approximately 165m with a height up to 2.4m and clad with stone.
• Construction of a flood defence wall along the north side of the Clontygar Stream between the stream and the Davitt Road area. The wall is c. 475m in length with a maximum height of 1.5m. The works at this location will include channel realignment along a 445m length of the Clontygar to re-naturalise the alignment of the stream.
• Construction of a combination of flood defence walls and embankments from Owenass Bridge to Mill Bridge. The reinforced concrete walls are c. 615m in length and up to 2.8m in height. The embankments will be constructed using non-porous material and faced with grass-seeded topsoil. Walls will be clad with stone. The embankments are c. 1,295m in length and up to 2.2m in height. Ramps allowing vehicular access across the embankments will be provided where required.
• Construction of a combination of flood defence walls and embankments upstream of Owenass Bridge. The reinforced concrete walls are c. 266m in length and up to 1.9m in height and will be clad with stone where clearly visible by the public. The embankments will be constructed using non-porous material and faced with grass-seeded topsoil. The embankments are c. 766m in length and up to 1.8m in height. Ramps allowing vehicular access across the embankments will be provided where required.
• Replacement of existing Owenass Bridge with a new bridge at the same location but with a larger span width below the structure. The new construction will re-use the stone from the existing bridge.
• Construction of flood defence embankments in the vicinity of Manor House, Manor Road and Manor Court. The embankments will be constructed using non-porous material and faced with grass-seeded topsoil. The embankments are c. 714m in length and up to 2.1m in height. Ramps allowing vehicular access across the embankments will be provided where required. Culverts will be provided through the new embankment to allow the passage of the Pound and Garroon.
• Construction of flood defence walls and embankments along the Garroon Stream. The reinforced concrete walls are c. 92m in length and up to 1.9m in height. The embankments will be constructed using non-porous material and faced with grass-seeded topsoil. The embankments are c. 246m in length and up to 1.3m in height. Ramps allowing vehicular access across the embankments will be provided where required.
• Construction of a flood defence wall and embankment in the vicinity of the Irishtown Garden Centre. The reinforced concrete walls are c. 70m in length and up to 1.3m in height. The embankments will be constructed using non-porous material and faced with grass-seeded topsoil. The embankments are c. 155m in length and up to 0.8m in height.
• Construction of a reinforced concrete flood wall to three sides of an industrial site at the Bay Road Business Park. The wall will be c. 428m in length and up to 1.4m in height.
• To permit the safe and timely construction of the Scheme, a number of temporary site compounds will be established along the length of the Scheme. These will be formed by areas of stone hardstanding and will be fully removed and the areas reinstated on completion of the areas of the Scheme they are required for.
Which said works are all through the townlands of Townparks, Derrycloney, Ballycullenbeg, Acragar and Drinagh in the administrative area of Laois County Council.
An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) together with supporting documentation have been prepared as part of the application in respect of the proposed development.
An Coimisiún Pleanála may give approval to the application for the development with or without conditions and/or restrictions or may refuse the application for approval for the development.
A copy of the plans and particulars of the proposed development, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIAR) and the Natura Impact Statement (NIS) together with supporting documentation will be available for inspection free of charge, (or may be purchased on payment of a specified fee which shall not exceed the reasonable cost of making such a copy) during public opening hours (excluding Public Holidays) from 03/11/2025 to 15/12/2025 (inclusive of both dates), at the following locations:
The application plans and particulars, the EIAR and NIS may also be viewed at or downloaded from the following websites:
www.pleanala.ie
https://consult.laois.ie/en/consultation/mountmellick-flood-relief-scheme-submission-coimisiun-pleanala
Submissions or observations on the proposed development in relation to:
Any submissions / observations must be accompanied by a fee of €50 (except for certain prescribed bodies) and must be received by An Coimisiún Pleanála not later than 5.30 p.m. on 15/12/2025. Such submissions or observations should be titled “Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme” and must include the following information:
Submissions may be lodged to An Coimisiún Pleanála by hand, post, or by submission through our online portal: https://online.pleanala.ie/en-ie/sid/observation.
Any person may question the validity of any such decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála made in respect of the application for permission by way of an application for judicial review, under Order 84 of the Rule of the Superior Courts (S.I. No. 15 of 1986, as amended by S.I. No. 691 of 2011), in accordance with Section 50 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 as amended.
Practical information on the review mechanism can be accessed under the heading Publications – Judicial Review Notice on the Coimisiún’s website https://www.pleanala.ie/en-IE/Judicial-Review-Notice or on the Citizens Information Service website www.citizensinformation.ie.
Any enquiries relating to the application process should be directed to An Coimisiún Pleanála (Telephone: 01 8588100).
A Compulsory Purchase Order, to which the proposed flood relief scheme development relates, has been made by Laois County Council and will be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála under separate cover.
Signed: County Secretary
Laois County Council
Date: 28th October 2025
Share
Themes
Materials