Laois church applies for planning permission for extension
Toilets are proposed to be constructed at St Paul’s Church
A local parish church in Laois has applied for planning permission for a small extension to accommodate toilet facilities.
The Representative Church Body (RCB) who owns St Paul’s Church in Mountmellick have submitted a planning application for the extension to the church.
Located on Pearse Street, the church building currently has no toilet facilities and portable toilets must be hired whenever there are any events at the church.
The RCB said the proposed development will “provide much-needed permanent toilet facilities and will support the continued use of St Paul’s Church as a place of worship and community use.”
The church building is a protected structure and so the plans for the proposed works are said to have taken into account the “architectural, historical and cultural significance” of St Paul’s Church.
No demolition of the existing church is proposed in the plans. Only limited alterations to the existing external wall will be required.
The proposal consists of a small extension of approximately 15m² to the south-western
elevation of the existing church. This extension will provide one wheelchair-accessible toilet and one standard toilet.
The RCB described the extension as “modest in scale” as well as an “essential facility” for parishioners.
The extension will not be seen from the public road and its design is said to be minimal in its visual impact to the setting.
No new connection to the public sewer network is required as the foul drainage from the extension will be connected to the existing foul drainage system serving the parish hall.
Laois County Council is due to make their decision by October 20, 2026.