Laois County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 2 Year Review

Ministerial Direction

Laois County Development Plan 2021 – 2027

The Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027 was adopted on 25^th January 2022 and came into effect 8^th March 2022.

The County Development Plan is a statutory document prepared by the Planning Authority in accordance with the requirements of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended) and the Planning & Development Regulations 2001 (as amended). Zoning Maps contained in Volume 2 of this Plan will inform the LAPs for Portlaoise and Mountmellick. All current LAPs shall be read together with the Laois County Development Plan 2021 – 2027. Where a conflict arises between Plans, the County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 shall take precedent and the conflicting provision of the LAP shall cease to have effect.

The adopted plan comprises of the following:

• Volume 1: Written Statement
• Volume 1: Maps
  • 2-1 Core and Gateway Region Map
  • 2-2 Core Strategy Map
  • 3-1 Granted Wind Turbines and Solar Farms Map
  • 3-2 Wind Energy Map
  • 4-1 Rural Area Designations
  • 6-1 Key Strategic Employment Sites
  • 9-1 Quarries and Minerals Map
  • 10-1 Walking Trails Map
  • 10-2 Cycling Routes Maps
  • 10-3 Flood Map
  • 10-4 Water Source Protection Zones Map
  • 10-5 Broadband Connection Points & WiFi4EU Projects Map
  • 11-1 Special Areas of Conservation Map
  • 11-2 Special Protection Areas Map
  • 11-3 Natural Heritage Areas Map
  • 11-4 Nature Reserves Map
  • 11-5 Significant Tree Groups Map
  • 11-6 Public Right of Way
  • 11-7 Landscape Character Assessment Map
  • 11-8 Views and Prospects Map
  • 11-9 Geological Sites Map
  • 12-1 Portlaoise Archaeological Significance Zone Map
  • 12-2 Portarlington Archaeological Significance Zone Map
  • 12-3 Ballinakill Archaeological Significance Zone Map
  • 12-4 Castletown Archaeological Significance Zone Map
  • 12-5 Killabban Archaeological Significance Zone Map
  • 12-6 Rock of Dunmase Archaeological Significance Zone Map
• Volume 2: Settlement Strategy
• Volume 2: Maps
  • Map 2.2 – Portlaoise
  • Map 2.10 – Portlaoise
  • Map 3.2 – Mountmellick
  • Map 3.10 – Mountmellick
  • Map 4.2 [A] – Abbeyleix
  • Map 4.2 [B] – Abbeyleix
  • Map 4.3 [A] – Mountrath
  • Map 4.3 [B] – Mountrath
  • Map 4.4 [A] – Stradbally
  • Map 4.4 [B] – Stradbally
  • Map 5.1 [A] – Rathdowney
  • Map 5.1 [B] – Rathdowney
  • Map 5.2 [A] – Durrow
  • Map 5.2 [B] – Durrow
  • Map 5.3 [A] – Ballylynan
  • Map 5.3 [B] – Ballylynan
  • Map 6.1 [A] – Clonaslee
  • Map 6.1 [B] – Clonaslee
  • Map 6.2 [A] – Ballyroan
  • Map 6.2 [B] – Ballyroan
  • Map 6.3 [A] – Borris In Ossory
  • Map 6.3 [B] – Borris In Ossory
  • Map 6.4 [A] – Killenard
  • Map 6.4 [B] – Killenard
  • Map 7.1 [A] – Ballybrittas
  • Map 7.1 [B] – Ballybrittas
  • Map 7.2 [A] – Ballinakill
  • Map 7.2 [B] – Ballinakill
  • Map 7.3 [A] – Clough
  • Map 7.3 [B] – Clough
  • Map 7.4 [A] – Errill
  • Map 7.4 [B] – Errill
  • Map 7.5 [A] – Killeen
  • Map 7.5 [B] – Killeen
  • Map 7.6 [A] – Killeshin
  • Map 7.6 [B] – Killeshin
  • Map 8.1 [A] – Arles
  • Map 8.1 [B] – Arles
  • Map 8.2 [A] – Ballacolla
  • Map 8.2 [B] – Ballacolla
  • Map 8.3 [A] – Camross
  • Map 8.3 [B] – Camross
  • Map 8.4 [A] – Castletown
  • Map 8.4 [B] – Castletown
  • Map 8.5 [A] – Coolrain
  • Map 8.5 [B] – Coolrain
  • Map 8.6 [A] – Cullahill
  • Map 8.6 [B] – Cullahill
  • Map 8.7 [A] – Emo
  • Map 8.7 [B] – Emo
  • Map 8.8 [A] – Newtown Doonane
  • Map 8.8 [B] – Newtown Doonane
  • Map 8.9 [A] – Rosenallis
  • Map 8.9 [B] – Rosenallis
  • Map 8.10 [A] – The Swan
  • Map 8.10 [B] – The Swan
  • Map 8.11 [A] – Timahoe
  • Map 8.11 [B] – Timahoe
  • Map 8.12 [A] – Vicarstown
  • Map 8.12 [B] – Vicarstown
• Appendix 1: Record of Protected Structures
• Appendix 2: Architectural Conservation Areas
• Appendix 3: Housing Strategy including Housing Need and Demand Assessment
• Appendix 4: Retail Strategy
• Appendix 5: Wind Energy Strategy
• Appendix 6: Landscape Character Assessment
• Appendix 7: Rural Design Guidance
• Appendix 8: List of Native Trees
• Appendix 9: Infrastructure Assessment

• SEA Environmental Report & Natura Impact Report
  • Laois CDP 2021-2027 SEA Statement
  • Final Laois CDP 2021-2027 SEA ER
  • Laois CDP 2021-2027 SEA Statement – Appendix I Cover
  • Laois CDP 2021-2027 SEA Statement – Appendix II Cover
  • Final Laois CDP 2021-2027 SEA ER Appendix III NTS
  • Laois CDP 2021-2027 Consolidated AA NIR
  • Laois CDP 2021-2027 AA Conclusion Statement with determination
• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment 

A copy of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027 will be available for inspection and purchase from the 8^th March 2022 at the following locations:

• Planning Office, Laois County Council, Aras an Chontae, JFL Avenue, Portlaoise, Co.Laois (by appointment only during normal opening hours as per Covid-19 Guidelines)
• All branch Libraries in the County during normal opening hours and subject to Covid -19 restrictions in place at the time

Visiting members of the public should be advised that the operation of Local Authority public counters and interaction with the public, in the context of ongoing COVID-19 public health requirements, is governed by Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG) protocols applying in local government sector. Please be advised that all visitors will be required to adhere to these protocols.

Privacy Statement

Please click Here to see the Privacy Statement for the County Development Plan Process.

Stage 3 Draft Laois County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 – Proposed Material Amendments

This 4 week public consultation on the proposed material amendments only represents the start of stage 3 of the Laois County Development Plan (2021 – 2027).

Written observations or submissions regarding the proposed amendments only must be received between 23^rd September 2021 and by 5:00pm on 21^st October 2021, either;

• Online here by registering on https://consult.laois.ie/where you can then make a submission on the draft chapters, appendix, environmental reports and maps. or
• Via email to cdp@laoiscoco.ie; or
• In writing marked “Draft Laois County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 – MATERIAL ALTERATIONS” to the A/Senior Planner, Planning Department, Laois County Council, Aras an Chontae, JFL Avenue, Portlaoise, Co Laois.

Public Consultation for Stage 3 has now closed. Submissions have been uploaded to our consultation portal and can be viewed here. 

The Forward Planning team prepared the 3^rd Chief Executive’s Report which summarised all submissions received at the 3^rd Stage of Public Consultation.  The CE Report was circulated to the Laois County Council Members on 18^th November 2021 for their consideration.

This report summarises the following and includes the Chief Executive’s Opinion and Recommendation on each issue:

• The main issues raised by the Office of the Planning Regulator; and
• The main issues raised by statutory consultees, members of the public and interest groups by Chapter (as indicated in the Draft Plan).

Stage 2 Draft Laois County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 has been completed

Volume 1 of the Draft Laois County Development Plan (2021-2027) can be viewed here (Volume 1), with Volume 2 (Settlement Strategy) available to view here (Volume 2).  Public Consultation has now closed. Submissions have been uploaded to our consultation portal and can be viewed here. The Planning Department has 12 weeks from the close of public consultation on 23rd March 2021 to prepare the Chief Executive’s Report on the submissions received.

2^nd STAGE CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT

The Forward Planning team prepared Chief Executive’s Report which summarised all submissions received followed by a response and policy recommendation to the issues raised on the 2^nd Stage of Public Consultation held from 12^th January 2021 to 23^rd March 2021. The CE Report was circulated to the Laois County Council Members on 22nd June 2021 for their consideration. The CE Report is also accompanied by the following appendices:

• Appendix B – Infrastructure Assessment 
• Appendix C – Laois Housing Strategy
• Appendix D – Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
• Appendix E – Maps and Settlement Plans

• • Volume 1 Map Amendments
    • 2-1 Core and Gateway Region Map
    • 2-2 Core Strategy Map
    • 3-2 Wind Energy Map [Type 2]
    • 3-2 Wind Energy Map
    • 4-1 Rural Area Designations
    • 6-1 Key Strategic Employment Sites
    • 11-8 Views and Prospects Map

• • Volume 2 Settlement Plan Amendments
    • Map 2.2 – Portlaoise
    • Map 2.10 – Portlaoise
    • Map 3.2 – Mountmellick
    • Map 3.10 – Mountmellick
    • Map 4.2 [A] – Abbeyleix
    • Map 4.2 [B] – Abbeyleix
    • Map 4.3 [A] – Mountrath
    • Map 4.4 [A] – Stradbally
    • Map 5.1 [A] – Rathdowney
    • Map 5.2 [A] – Durrow
    • Map 5.3 [A] – Ballylynan
    • Map 6.1 [A] – Clonaslee
    • Map 6.2 [A] – Ballyroan
    • Map 6.3 [A] – Borris In Ossory
    • Map 7.1 [A] – Ballybrittas
    • Map 7.2 [A] – Ballinakill
    • Map 7.3 [B] – Clough
    • Map 7.5 [A] – Killeen
    • Map 7.6 [A] – Killeshin
    • Map 8.3 [A] – Camross
    • Map 8.4 [A] – Castletown
    • Map 8.5 [B] – Coolrain
    • Map 8.7 [A] – Emo
    • Map 8.7 [B] – Emo
    • Map 8.9 [A] – Rosenallis
    • Map 8.11 [A] – Timahoe

This report summarises the following and includes the Chief Executive’s Opinion and Recommendation on each issue:

• The main issues raised by the Office of the Planning Regulator;
• The main issues raised by the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA); and
• The main issues raised by statutory consultees, members of the public and interest groups by Chapter (as indicated in the Draft Plan).

The elected members of the Planning Authority have a period of twelve (12) weeks to consider this Draft Plan and the Chief Executive report, within which time the Draft Plan must be adopted or amended by resolution of the Council.

Public Consultation for Stage 2 has now closed. The Planning Department has 12 weeks from the close of public consultation to prepare the Chief Executive’s Report on the submissions received. Submissions have been uploaded to our consultation portal and can be viewed here. 

Stage 1 Pre Draft has been completed. Click here to view details 

Public Consultation

In accordance with Section 12(1)(b) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), Laois County Council has prepared the Draft Laois County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 which was be on public display from 12^th January 2021 to 23^rd March 2021, at the following locations:

• Consult Laois online consultation portal
• Planning Office, Laois County Council, Aras an Chontae, JFL Avenue, Portlaoise, Co.Laois (by appointment only during normal opening hours as per Covid-19 Guidelines)
• All branch Libraries in the County during normal opening hours and subject to Covid -19 restrictions in place at the time.

The Draft Plan is accompanied by a Strategic Environmental Report prepared in accordance with the Planning & Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004 and an Appropriate Assessment, pursuant to Article 6 (3) and Article 4 of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC. The Draft Plan contains a settlement strategy which includes zoning maps for Portlaoise and Mountmellick also.

Lobbying

Lobbying is an essential part of the democratic process. It enables or facilitates citizens and organisations to make their views on public policy and public services such as land-use zoning known to politicians and public servants (designated Public Officials). If you are involved in lobbying, you may need to:

• Register on the Register of Lobbying website which is maintained by Standards Commission: www.lobbying.ie
• Provide information to the Standards Commission about your lobbying activities three times a year.

Please visit www.lobbying.ie for more information.

What is in the Draft Laois County Development Plan 2021 – 2027?

Watch the short video below to find out what is in the Draft Plan

Have Your Say…

Observations or submissions regarding the Draft Plan and Environmental Reports were invited from members of the public and other interested parties. Children, or groups or associations representing the interests of children, are invited also to make submissions or observations.

An observation or submission could be made via the following options only;

• Online here by registering on https://consult.laois.ie/where you can then make a submission on the draft chapters, appendix, environmental reports and maps.
• Via email to cdp@laoiscoco.ie; or
• In writing marked “Draft Laois County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 “to the Senior Planner, Planning Department, Laois County Council, Aras an Chontae, JFL Avenue, Portlaoise, Co Laois.

Please note that all submissions are made available for public viewing on Laois Consult during the plan-making period. Laois County Council will treat all personal data you may give as confidential. Laois County Council will retain your data for no longer than is necessary for the purpose of this County Development Plan and in accordance with the relevant Data Protection legislation.

Public Consultation Webinars

The Planning Department held a series of public webinars throughout the public consultation period in lieu of community meetings due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Each webinar focused on a different topic related to the Draft Plan as detailed below. Click on the links below to view the presentations for each webinar.

Population and Where We Live County Development Plan and Process Population and Where We Live Laois Housing Strategy	Job Creation in the County – The Economic Priorities County Development Plan and Process Facilitating Job Creation in Laois Role of Leo in Supporting Enterprise in Laois
Enabling and Servicing Development County Development Plan and Process Climate Action in Laois  Infrastructural Requirements and Priorities	Cultural, Built and Natural Heritage in County Laois County Development Plan and Process Cultural, Built and Natural Heritage in the County   Laois Heritage Plan

Contact Us

The Forward Planning Team continue to be available for phone queries in relation to the Draft Laois  County Development Plan 2021-2027, during normal opening hours, and are contactable on 05786 64018 or 057 8664039. Alternatively, general queries in relation to the Draft Plan can be emailed to cdp@laoiscoco.ie