Tidy Towns group appeals Laois bank's planning approval for accessible ramp

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns has appealed plans to build an accessible ramp and move a tree at the only bank in the town.

Bank of Ireland were granted permission to carry out the work subject to nine conditions last month. The plans had gone for further information due to concerns raised during the application process with Laois County Council. 

The bank sought to remove existing steps, associated stone plinth and railings to accommodate new ramp and steps. They want to construct a ramp with steps and handrail and reinstate the plinth and railings to match the original. They also sought to remove and replace the existing ATM. 

A Council planner noted the works would “encroach significantly” on the existing footpath and would require the removal of a tree. 

The planner sought further information as he believed: “The works as proposed disrupt the front building line and encroach significantly on the public thoroughfare to such an extent that they have a detrimental impact on same.” 

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In response to the issues, the bank said  “the proposed design is in keeping with the design of the existing steps and railings, where the existing stone steps, stone plinth and railings will be carefully removed and reinstated by a qualified stone mason and blacksmith.” 

“The ramp will be fully reversible, and any items of architectural value removed will be carefully stored on site for reversal works if required. In relation to the encroachment on the existing footpath, the proposed width of the path will be a minimum of 1.6m for only a length of 3m, which then increases to 2.2m to the remainder of the front of the building. Also we suggest that the existing tree can be relocated adjacent to the existing bench or plant a new tree of similar nature to those on main street,” the bank stated.  

Although the council agreed to approve the plans subject to nine conditions, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns appealed the plan. 

In their submission to Laois County Council, Chairperson of Abbeyleix Tidy Towns, Robbie Quinn, objected to the plan on behalf of Abbeyleix Tidy Towns and its volunteers.

“We are a heritage town with a very proud and engaged community, Abbeyleix Tidy Town support all initiatives to improve accessibility but it should not come at the expense of damaging our beautiful streetscape when other solutions are possible and we are very pleased to work with Bank of Ireland in a pragmatic way to find this solution and have approached them directly in this regard,” the Tidy Towns stated.

They asked for the application to be withdrawn and suggested a meeting with the bank’s officials and planning consultants so that “a more sensitive and considerate solution” is found and agreed prior to a resubmission.  

“It is worth stressing that Abbeyleix Tidy Towns are wholly supportive of the principle of providing access to all members of the local community,” they said. 

However, they said, “the land beyond the building line on Main Street is not within the ownership of Bank of Ireland and forms part of important public realm space which we as a community are seeking to defend. The erosion of any public realm is universally considered as a retrograde step given the importance of the space allocated to pedestrians. Abbeyleix is proud of the fact that the acclaim afforded the urban design of the town at local, regional, national and international level.” 

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns advised the council that if the plans were approved for what the deemed an “over intrusive planning application” they would lodge an appeal with An Coimisiún Pleanála. The plans were appealed on April 8. A final decision on the plan is due to be made in August.