Green light given for construction work on local club grounds in Laois

Laois County Council have granted permission on a conditional basis to Mountmellick United AFC for development works on the club's grounds at Townparks and Smiths Field in Ballycullenbeg. 

The club submitted a planning application in September of last year seeking permission to replace their existing grass pitch with a new AstroTurf playing surface and a new perimeter fencing to the pitch.

Also included in the application were new footpaths and public lighting as well as a new footbridge over the River Owenass which intended to link Townparks and Ballycullenbeg. 

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However, the original plans for the footbridge were later omitted by Mountmellick United AFC. According to the planning reports, this proposed aspect of the development had raised some concerns surrounding its possible environmental impact.

With it being removed from the application, the development faced no other barriers for approval. 

The reports state that the construction works should take approximately four months from start to finish, dependent on weather and ground conditions.