A Draft Carlow-Graiguecullen Joint Urban Local Area Plan 2024-2030 has been prepared. Submissions or observations are hereby invited from the public and interested bodies between 13th December 2023 to 5th February 2024 inclusive.
Author: laois planning
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Draft Carlow-Graiguecullen Joint Urban Local Area Plan 2024-2030: Submissions now accepted
A Draft Carlow-Graiguecullen Joint Urban Local Area Plan 2024-2030 has been prepared. Submissions or observations are hereby invited from the public and interested bodies between 13th December 2023 to 5th February 2024 inclusive.
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Laois Arts Grants
Laois Arts Grants Information Night
Laois County Council Arts Service invites you to our Arts Grants Information Night to learn more about arts funding opportunities and the application process.
In-person: Thursday 18th January 2024 at 7:00pm at Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise
Online: Tuesday 23rd January 2024 at 7:00pm via Microsoft Teams
Arts Grants newspaper text.doc 2024
To book a place: Please email artsoff@laoiscoco.ie
Muireann Ní Chonaill
Arts Officer
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Development Contribution Scheme 2023-2029 adopted
Laois County Council has ADOPTED a Development Contribution Scheme in accordance with the provisions of Section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended.
Further details can be found at Development Contribution Scheme – Laois County Council
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DojoMór – coding event for students
DojoMór – Ireland’s biggest coding event for students
DojoMór, coding for students, is running again for the sixth year in a row.
Free coding workshops from DojoMór 2023, funded by the Higher Education Authority of Ireland, will be hosted online, from 10am to 2pm, Saturday 21st October 2023, offering a range of fun and creative coding activities to suit all ages and interests.
On the day, thousands of students, from primary and secondary schools around Ireland, can enjoy some fun coding games, by following along with the different workshop videos. The workshops will deliver fun coding activities for young people using leading technologies such as Micro: bit, VEX Robotics, Scratch, Thunkable, HTML, Lightbot, Blender and Soundtrap.
The national partners of DojoMór are united in their belief that an understanding of programming languages is increasingly important in the modern world, and that it is both better and easier to learn these skills early, and that nobody should be denied the opportunity to do so. DojoMór is an excellent opportunity for young people to be exposed to, and to learn, practical and valuable skills that they will take with them for life. Some will develop these skills into an exciting career in coding and programming.
For the full workshop information and for bookings, you can visit www.dojomor.ie
Bookings are open now for schools and for individual students.
Register early, and be in with a chance to win a free Robotics workshop in your school from STEMed.ie worth €480!
Follow @DojoMor2023 on social media for more updates and you could win a free coding workshop from TheCodeLab.ie. We have 5 to give away!
The event is supported by Munster Technological University; National University of Ireland Maynooth; Dundalk Institute of Technology; Atlantic Technological University; South East Technological University; Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology; Offaly County Council; Libraries Ireland and is funded by the Higher Education Authority of Ireland.
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Forest Fest 2023 – Licence Granted
Safents Consulting Ltd on behalf of ForestFest Ltd has applied for a LICENCE APPLICATION under the terms of Part XVI of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended) for a live musical and comedy entertainment event to be held at Emo Village, Co. Laois.
The proposed event is to be held on Thur 20th July, Fri 21st July, Sat 22nd July and Sun 23rd July 2023 at Emo Village, Co. Laois.
Associated parking and campsites will be available from 4pm on Thur 20th July.
The event will have a maximum attendance of 10,000 people plus 1,500 staff and artistes with camping for a maximum of 7,500 persons.
If you wish to lodge a submission/observation to the licence application, please send your submission in writing, before close of business on Wednesday 10th May 2023, to the Planning Department Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co. Laois or by email to planning@laoiscoco.ie
Public Notice Advertisement Nationalist
Public Notice Advertisement Irish Independent
Forest Fest – Event Mangement Plan
Forest Fest – Site Location Plan
Forest Fest – Overall Site Layout
Forest Fest – Site 3 Campervan Red
Forest Fest – Site 4 Caravan Green & Site 5 Caravan Yellow
Forest Fest – Site 6 Caravan Parking Purple & Site 7 Staff Parking
Forest Fest – Site 8 Campervan Blue
Further information requested and received as follows
Further Information requested for Forest Fest 2023
Forest Fest 23-A1 SITE LOCATIONS
Forest Fest 23-Site 3 – Caravan Red
Forest Fest 23-Site 4 &5 – General Camping
Forest Fest 23-A1 – Site 2 Campervan Orange
TMP for Forest Festival 2023-REV03
Further Information requested for Forest Fest 2023
On receipt of the further information above – the licence application has been granted;
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LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL DRAFT DEVELOPMENT CONTRIBUTION SCHEME 2023-2029
Final reminder regarding closing dates for submissions to the Development Contribution Scheme 2023-2029
DRAFT DEVELOPMENT CONTRIBUTION SCHEME 2023-2029
SECTION 48 [4), PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000 (as amended)
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Section 48(4) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), that Laois County Council has prepared a Draft Development Contribution Scheme for the administrative area of County Laois covering the period 2023-2029.
Copies of the County Laois Draft Development Contribution Scheme are available for public inspection during normal working hours from Monday 22nd May 2023 to Tuesday 4th July 2023 at the following locations:
- Laois County Council Offices, Aras An Chontae, JFL Avenue, Portlaoise, County Laois
- All branches of Laois County Council Public Libraries.
The Draft Scheme may also be viewed on the Laois County Council website at: http://consult.laois.ie
Submissions and observations in relation to the Draft Development Contribution Scheme 2023-2029 are invited during the public consultation period referred to above.
Submissions or observations may be made in the following ways:
- In writing to: Senior Planner, Planning Department, Laois County Council, Aras an Chontae, James Fintan Lawlor Avenue, Portlaoise, County Laois or
- Online at http://consult.laois.ie
Please ensure to include the name and address of the person, group or public body making the submission or observation.
The closing date for receipt of submissions or observations is 4.00 p.m., Tuesday 4th July 2023. Late submissions or observations will not be accepted.
All submissions or observations with respect to the draft Scheme will form part of the statutory Chief Executives Report to be presented to the Elected Members of Laois County Council and will be taken into consideration before the Scheme is made.
The Council is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and Data Protection legislation. If you consider that any of the information being 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.
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Circular PL 04/2023 – Temporary Time-Limited Waiver in respect of Development Contributions
Circular PL 04/2023 – Temporary Time-Limited Waiver in respect of Development Contributions
The temporary development contribution waiver arrangements will apply for 1 year to all permitted residential development –
- that commences on site between 25 April 2023 (the date of the Government Decision approving the measure) and 24 April 2024, and
- is completed not later than 31 December 2025.
Circular PL 04.2023 – Temporary Time Limited Waiver in respect of Development Contributions
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3 LAOIS SCHOOLS EXCEL IN VEX ROBOTIC COMPETITION
Shanganamore Barrowhouse , Scoil Eoin Pol Naofa Ballyroan and Camross NS set out at Dawn on Thursday morning 1st of June to make the long trip for the Vex Robotic Competition in the ATU Campus in Castlebar.
The 3 schools only started their Vex program in February and were up against stiff competition from seasoned schools including the current All Ireland Champions from Donegal and also the Connaught Regional champions from Mayo.
The competition started @ 10:30 and all teams played a hectic 14 games. In order to play the game each school had to build and program a Robot using coding along with building the board game and the obstacles.
All 3 schools excelled on the day considering this was their 1st major event , the future is bright for all schools.
Shanganamore were the Judges most impressive newcomer to the program.
Scoil Eoin Pol Naofa were pipped in their final game by 3 points by the current All Ireland champions from Donegal on a score line of 91 to 88 .
Camross were also narrowly beaten in the qualifier by the current Connaught Regional champions from Mayo.
Antoinette Brennan the Broadband Officer from Laois County Council was responsible for securing this program for 4 schools in Laois to date with the backing of DRCD , Vex Robotic Program, MTU , ATU and Offaly County Council.
It is hoped with funding to rollout this program into more primary schools in Laois in September along with other STEM programs , with a vision to introduce Vex and STEM programs into Secondary and get all schools to a point where they can provide Computer Science as a Leaving Cert subject.
She thanked all associates with the program and especially to the Teachers and students who have taken part to date and look forward to the future.
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Transboundary Environmental Public Consultation
Proposed project consisting of the 10 years extension of the operation of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear reactors, including related nuclear safety-related improvement works
In accordance with the provisions of the 1991 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (“the Espoo Convention”) and the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (“Aarhus” Convention), the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage received notification from the Belgian Directorate General for Energy in relation to the approval of a draft bill to allow the continued operation of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear reactors for another 10 years.
The Nuclear Power Plant of Doel is located in the Port of Antwerp, on the river Scheldt, approximately 6km from the border between Belgium and the Netherlands. The Nuclear Power Plant of Tihange is located on the bank of the Meuse River, near the village of Tihange in the Walloon province of Liége, approximately 40 km from the border between Belgium and the Netherlands and approximately 65 km from the border with Germany and Luxembourg. Belgian authorities have advised that, in keeping with their Espoo Convention obligations, countries within a 1000km radius of these nuclear power plants will be consulted.
The proposed project consists of the 10 years extension of the operation of Doel 4 and Tihange 3 reactors and the nuclear safety-related improvement works related to that extension. The proposed project is submitted to an environmental impact assessment in Belgium. The Belgian government considers that the proposed project plays a vital role in securing its supply of electricity until 2035. The project is also in line with the policy that the European Commission wishes to pursue increased independence from fossil fuels and diversified energy supply.
A nationwide public consultation will open for submissions on Wednesday 17 May 2023. A member of the public may make a written submission or observation in relation to the potential transboundary environmental effects of the project, by close of business on Wednesday 21 June 2023 at the latest. Submissions or observations should be made directly to Belgian authorities at the following email address:
Members of the public may wish to visit the Dublin City Council public consultation portal at the link below to view correspondence from the Belgian Ministry, associated documents and links provided to the full Environmental Impact Assessment Report and all other documentation relating to the development consent application for the proposed development.
https://consultation.dublincity.ie/planning/belgium-doel-4-and-tihange-3
The public consultation notice is also available to view in the office of the Planning Section of each local authority nationwide during office hours, by appointment if required. A copy of these documents is available for inspection, or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, during office hours. Links to all documents will be made available online by each local authority. Please contact your Local Authority for further details.
Viewings may be by appointment only in certain local authority offices, it is strongly advised to contact your local authority to clarify the position in this regard before travelling to view the documentation. All documentation related to the development consent application for the proposed development is also available to view on the website of the Belgian FPS Economy website, including any additional information accepted by the Belgian FPS Economy website at:
https://economie.fgov.be/en/Doel4-Tihange3
20230329 EIAR Non technical summary
Additional transboundary notification dated 20 March 2023
Part I General framework and methodology of EIA Doel 4 and Tihange 3
Queries raised by the EPA and response received from Belgian authorities
Transboundary EIA notification from the Belgian Minister of Energy dated 30 June 2022
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Electric Picnic 2023
EP Republic has applied for a LICENCE APPLICATION under the terms of Part XVI of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to 2015 (as amended) for a Proposed Multi Stage Concert event to be held at Stradbally Hall Estate, Stradbally, Co. Laois
The proposed Multi Stage Concert event to be held on 1st September, 2nd September and 3rd September 2023 at Stradbally Hall Estate, Stradbally, Co. Laois, with low key entertainment on 31st August 2023.
General camping facilities from the 1st September to the 4th September 2023, and family campervan, general campervan and early entry camping facilities for a maximum of 20,000 from the 31st August to the 4th September 2023.
If you wish to lodge a submission/observation to the licence application, please send your submission in writing, before close of business on 15th February 2023, to the Planning Department Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co. Laois or by email to planning@laoiscoco.ie
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Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2023 now open!
€1.5 million available to support Ireland’s heritage through Community Heritage Grant Scheme
17 JANUARY, 2023
The Heritage Council is now accepting applications from community groups and not for profit non-governmental organisations around the country for its Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2023.
A total of €1.5m is available for this year’s scheme. Applications are sought for projects aimed at improving access and inclusion to heritage sites, and that apply good heritage practice to the management of places, collections, or objects (including buildings), with the maximum grant amount increased to €25,000 this year.
Funding is also available for groups who want to improve access to heritage for people with disabilities, as well as for projects which explore the heritage of minorities, including newly arrived immigrants, and the Traveller community.
The scheme also supports training events for traditional building skills, biodiversity, and archaeology, as well as the purchase of specialised equipment.
Commenting, Chairperson of the Heritage Council Dr Martina Moloney said:
“Every year we look forward to receiving applications for this scheme which provide a valuable insight into how vibrant our heritage community is.
“Kells in County Meath is world famous for having once been home to the Book of Kells, and the town continues to champion ground-breaking lettering and design practices today. In 2022, we provided €15,424 to fund the restoration of the town’s Wharfedale printing press. This machine, dating from 1856, revolutionised the printing industry by enabling mass production printing due to its ability to print without having to be stopped.
“Once the centre of the region’s printing operations, one of these machines was rediscovered in Kells in 2016, having become eclipsed by modern machinery. The funding facilitated the complex repair works needed to restore the machine. Now on public display, it is attracting visitors, preserving forgotten skills and encouraging community engagement through classes, exhibitions and artists in residence programmes.”
Chief Executive of the Heritage Council Virginia Teehan added:
“It gave me great pleasure in 2022 to see some of the wonderful heritage projects giving a voice to minority groups and making heritage more accessible to those with disabilities.
“The Cork Traveller Women’s Network received €10,470 for a digital project documenting the rich Traveller oral history from the Black Ash area of Cork city, while €18,770 was given to the Hunt Museum for an excellent project aiming to make the museum work better for the Visually Impaired through the introduction of audio descriptive guides.
“Ensuring that the heritage stories of minority groups are heard and that those with disabilities have the same access to heritage as everybody else continue to be priorities for us in 2023 and we look forward to receiving applications in these spaces.”
The closing date for applications for this round of the scheme is Monday, 20th of February 2023 at 5pm. Applications must be made via the Heritage Council’s online grants management system. Funded projects must be completed by 9th October 2023. Full details are available here
The Heritage Council will host a grants information webinar at 11am on 25th January 2023, with general application advice followed by a question and answers session. The event will be recorded and available on our website for viewing afterwards.