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03 Apr 2026
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03 Apr 2026
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The evergreen trees between St Brigid's Place and the railway in Portlaoise. Photo: Google Maps
A 65 metre long stretch of tall dark Leylandii trees between a Laois housing estate and the railway track will be cut down and replaced with a native Irish hedgerow.
However residents of the estate are concerned at the loss of privacy from passing trains after the trees are gone.
St Brigid's Place residents want the job done in several phases says Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley.
She tabled a motion to the May meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District asking when the trees will be replaced.
The reply is that they cannot come down until the end of the nesting season, after August 31, as enforced by the Wildlife Act.
"Planting of native trees / hedging will be carried out in Spring 2024," the engineer for the district Wes Wilkinson said.
The new trees and hedges will not grow as tall and will be beneficial for biodiversity.
Cllr Dwane Stanley noted that she had met residents with the engineer and Laois County Council's new horticulture officer.
"I know it will be done over phases because of the cost. You heard from the residents their concerns. They want to see this done phase by phase to hold on to some privacy. Will it take two or three years?" she asked.
The engineer said that the trees will come down in autumn and the new trees will get planted by Spring 2024, in two separate operations.
Cllr Dwane Stanley has also asked for an update on CIS grants to resurface back lanes in St Brigid's Place.
The reply is that applications are being considered and offers will be announced before the end of May.
Cutting, burning, or destruction of hedges is restricted during nesting and breeding season between March 1 and August 31, in order to protect nesting birds except for certain exemptions. The restrictions apply not only to private land-users but also to local authorities, public bodies and to contractors. Anyone witnessing hedge removal is asked to contact the National Parks & Wildlife Service.
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