Part VIII - Tourism Hub at, (Former) Ha’Penny School, Chapel Street Portlaoise, Co. Laois

Closed5 Dec, 2023, 15:00 - 24 Jan, 2024, 17:00

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Comhairle Chontae Laoise, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise Co. Laois. R32 EHP9

Tel: 057 86 64000 Fax: 057 8622313

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000 (AS AMENDED) (S.179) AND PART 8 OF THE PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS 2001 (AS AMENDED)

Part VIII - Laois County Council

Development of Tourism Hub, (Former) Ha’Penny School, Church Avenue, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.

In accordance with Part XI, Section 179 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended and Part VII article 80 and 81 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 as amended notice is hereby given that Laois County Council propose to develop a tourism hub at the former Ha’Penny School, Chapel Street, Portlaosie, Co. Laois.

The proposed development will include the following:

  1. Refurbishment works to the existing former Ha’Penny School building (a Protected Structure, RPS number 900) to provide a tourism space/hub (c.64sqm).
  2. The forming a new shopfront opening facing chapel street (c.4m x 2.5m).
  3. Installation of new solar panels on the southwest facing roof face
  4. Light internal work (reconfiguration of toilet space.
  5. Associated refurbishment works.

An Appropriate Assessment Screening Report for the proposed development has been completed and is available for inspection.

Laois County Council has prepared an EIA Screening Report in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended). On the basis of this Screening Report, Laois County Council has determined that there is no likelihood of significant effects on the environment (Article 120 of Planning and Development Regulations, amended 2018).  Accordingly, it has been determined that an EIA is not required in respect of this proposed development.

Any person may, from 5th December 2023 to 10th January 2024 inclusive, apply to An Bord Pleanála for a screening determination as to whether the development would be likely to have significant effects on the environment.

Plans and particulars of the above proposed development are available for viewing on our online consultation portal at https://consult.laois.ie from 5th December 2023 to 10th January 2024 inclusive.  Plans and particulars are also available for inspection at the offices of Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, JFL Avenue, Portlaoise from 5th December 2023 to 10th January 2024 inclusive.

Submissions or observations with respect to the proposed development, dealing with the proper planning and the sustainable development of the area in which the development would be situated, may be made online at https://consult.laois.ie before 5.00 p.m. on 24th January 2024. 

Submissions or observations with respect to the proposed development, dealing with the proper planning and the sustainable development of the area in which the development would be situated, may also be made in writing to: Angela McEvoy, Director of Services, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co. Laois to be received not later than  5.00 p.m. on 24th January 2024. . Submissions should be clearly marked: Tourism Hub at , (Former) Ha’Penny School, Chapel Street Portlaoise, Co. Laois, Part VIII.

Note: Only submissions made in the above manner will be considered as valid submissions for the purposes of the Chief Executive’s Report that will be presented to Council.

All the issues that are raised in submissions and observations to the Council in regard to this development, including the response of the Chief Executive thereto, will form part of the statutory report to be presented to the monthly meeting of Laois County Council. The statutory report will list the persons or bodies who made submissions or observations with respect to the proposed development in accordance with regulations made under Part XI of the Planning and Development Act as amended. The minutes of that meeting including the statutory report will appear on the Council’s Website. Details including the names of those making submissions and observations may also be shared with relevant Council Departments and agents working on their behalf. 

The Council is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. If you consider that any of the information supplied by you is either commercially sensitive or confidential in nature, this should be highlighted and the reasons for its sensitivity specified. In such cases, the relevant material will, in response to FOI requests, be examined in light of exemptions provided for in the FOI Act.

Angela McEvoy

Director of Services