Laois hometown of Lutyens Heywood garden to get redesigned public square
New layout to be approved by Ballinakill Tidy Towns ahead of Town and Village renewal funding request
The Laois town which is home to the famous Heywood Gardens designed by Edwin Lutyens, is to get its own town square expertly redesigned in 2024.
Ballinakill which also boasts the Midlands' only outdoor public swimming pool, is next set for new landscaping and paving in the square at its centre.
Laois County Council is intending to carry out the redesign inhouse, and then try to win funding for the works, from the Government's Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
"We'll get the plan drawn up, with the agreement of Ballinakill Tidy Towns, and we hope to get an application into the programme next year (2024)," the Portlaoise Municipal District area engineer Wes Wilkinson has confirmed.
He spoke at the December meeting of the district, when Cllr John Joe Fennelly tabled a motion asking them to do the job, in conjunction with the tidy towns and Ballinakill Development Committee.
He describes the paving as being in "very poor condition".
"It has not been done since major work by Cllr Marty Rohan. It's used daily for things like bingo and the youth club. I am delighted that you intend to include landscaping, that will soften the eye," he said.
Cllr Fennelly noted that Ballinakill did well in the national Tidy Towns competition this year, where they won a county Endeavour award.
Cllr Barry Walsh praised Ballinakill Development Committee for their "huge work" to improve their town, which represented Laois in the 2023 Pride of Place competition.
"They deserve our help. They are highly active and hugely positive with their plans," he said.
"They are working so hard, and they have great natural amenities, I think it's one of the best areas in Laois. There is so much work done on a voluntary basis, they deserve this," agreed Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald.