Laois residents losing parking spaces to new community hub
Laois County Council to 'look into' adding carpark for 38 households
Residents in a Laois town are going to lose their unofficial parking spot to a new community hub, but Laois County Council will aim to give them an alternative.
Durrow is going to get a community and business hub, after years of fundraising by Durrow Development Forum through the Scarecrow Festival, and with the aid of Government grants.
However for 38 households along Patrick Street, it spells the end of their parking area. They wrote a letter to councillors to ask them for support.
Laois County Councillors have given a green light to the plan, but will get a written guarantee from the planners to "look into" an alternative carpark by buying and demolishing a derelict house.
Cllr Ollie Clooney cautiously proposed the Part 8 planning approval at the July meeting.
"This has been a difficult time for me. We all welcome this with open arms but unfortunately there is a problem with the carpark. These residents can't park because there are yellow lines on the road. they have been using this carpark going back 40 years," he said.
He describes a house that is boarded up with a big rear garden.
"At the back is a good Irish acre. There was never vegetables or a pony on it. It's going on since I was 18. Lorries have got bigger, it's only a matter of time before this building collapses and no-one gives a toot.
"I was over the moon at how Abbeyleix got on in the Tidy Towns competition but Durrow was only 10 marks behind. I know five marks were gone in that building alone. It's unsightly, it's dangerous, it has to go, as Jim Reeves said in his song.
"I'm looking for a seconder, but with conditions. I'm the meat in the sandwich. I welcome the development. It could be a wonderful success but we have to get rid of this unsightly building and there'll be plenty of room then," he said.
He was seconded by Cllr John King, with Cllr John Joe Fennelly and Cllr Conor Bergin also in support.
"We all got a letter, we have to look after the 38 residents who signed it. We have to make sure there is parking," Cllr Fennelly said.
Angela McEvoy is the Director of Services for planning in Laois County Council.
"We will look into that. There is potential for a Compulsory Purchase Order. It's been on the derelict sites register before. I'll give it to you in writing," she said.
Cllr Clooney then said he was happy to propose the planning approval.