New café gets green light for planning permission in Laois town

Laois County Council has granted planning permission on a conditional basis for a new café in Abbeyleix.

Patrick Blaney submitted the planning application in June of this year for extensive renovation works and the change of use of the vacant and derelict property, formerly known as Bonham's, on Main Street in the town centre.

The planning application sought to change the use of the protected structure from retail at ground level and residential at ground and first-floor level to a commercial unit only, as well as demolish the existing extension and outbuildings at the rear of the property.

It also included plans on providing a new single-storey extension behind the property, a new private access road leading to the rear, as well as a new private dwelling house and garden which would also be at the back of the property.

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The plans also detailed other works such as the removal and disposal of earth from the rear of the property, the demolition of part of the boundary wall, repair of the boundary wall and a new boundary wall installed at the rear of the site, the demolition of internal walls and removal of the upper floor within the existing property, and repairs to the roof and all external façades.

The property is of historical significance, however it has long been derelict. According to the planning application: "This proposal seeks to restore the structure in a manner that respects its architectural heritage while enhancing the vitality of lower Main Street, Abbeyleix."

The café's intended opening hours are from 9am to 7pm, with a possibility of a late opening of 8pm or 9pm on the weekends - excluding Sunday.

As well as the café, the application included details on a residential dwelling at the back of the property which is intended for the applicant's own personal use.

Although the proposal includes extensive demolition works to the historical building, they did not pose any challenges to obtaining permission as the demolition works mostly related to outbuildings and extensions. The Planners Report stated: "Overall, the design achieves an effective balance between heritage conservation and adaptive reuse."

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