Heritage Town Designation & ACA
DDF request Laois County Council nominate and support Durrow as a Heritage Town and maintain the Architectural Conservation Area as identified in DU 1 of the draft plan. The ACA boundary has been delineated to encompass the historic core of the village and the associated backlands which are part of its original layout. This village at present is significant due to its planned eighteenth century origin, much of the character of which has been retained by good maintenance and the absence of significant inappropriate development within the historic core.
Durrow is noted for having a well defined layout of a planned estate village. The high quality and relatively unaltered nature of architecture within Durrow is noteworthy. Its distinctive estate structures along with the ordered plan-form of the village, most buildings within which are eighteenth and nineteenth century in date, provide the town with its individual architectural character.
Derelict Buildings
Derelict buildings have an implication for Durrow in terms of its attractiveness and causes significant damage to the built heritage within the town. In line with DU 2, every effort should be made to reduce the vacancy rate within the town. DDF requests the redevelopment or restoration of derelict, vacant and underused buildings within Durrow town centr
Old Stone Bridge
The old stone bridge is of significant architectural and historical value and a key focal point in the town. We request a committment from Laois County Council to clean and repoint the bridge in order to maintain its character and structural integrity.
Conservation Officer
Given the importance of conserving the built Heritage in our county, the appointment of a Conservation Officer within Laois County Council would be of great benefit.