Laois Mountain Biking Trailhead development gets green light

Mountain biking enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that a National Mountain Bike Trail Head building has been granted planning permission in Laois.

Laois County Council approved the development which will be located in the Slieve Blooms Mountains about 4.3kms North East of Camross in Baunreagh.

It will complement the existing Mountain Bike Trails in the Slieve Blooms. Planning permission has been granted for 72 kilometres of mountain biking trails across Laois and Offaly, with 40 kms of these trails located in Laois.

The newly approved single storey ‘National Mountain Bike Trail Head Building’ will include a Café, Bike Hire Facility and toilets along with ancillary and all associated site works.

The project includes provision for the construction of a new wastewater treatment system, a new car park area which will include electric charging facilities, a bore well and a bike wash area along with associated site works.

Above: A drawing of the proposed trailhead building

The plan also includes permission for the demolition of an existing building at Baunreagh. A Natura Impact Statement was submitted to the planning authority with the application. The permission replaces a previous granted application at the site.

Coillte CGA was granted permission for the trail head development at Baunreagh subject to 19 conditions.