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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Humes Bar in Portlaoise
Retention planning permission has been granted for the beer garden at Humes Bar despite concerns over ‘outrageous’ noise pollution.
Liam Browne applied for retention planning for the beer garden and smoking shelter in the back garden together with a covered access at the rear of the pub at 106 Main Street, Portlaoise.
The application was lodged with Laois County Council in August last year and further information was requested.
Neighbours Frances and John Bartley “strongly objected” to the application for planning retention for the smoking shelter and beer garden citing noise and privacy concerns.
“Since these were done without planning permission we have not a bit of privacy plus the noise pollution and I mean outrageous noise pollution is caused by his customers and loud music,” they wrote in a submission to the council planning department.
A Noise Impact Assessment was supplied with the planning application.
The Noise Impact Assessment by acoustic consultants, Wave Dynamics, noted there are currently no Irish Noise Impact Criteria for entertainment from pubs. They instead refer to standards for industrial and commercial sound and UK guidelines.
The survey found the development could have an adverse impact on nearby residential dwellings and it set out a number of noise mitigation measures.
“The mitigation advice is broken down into two sections, 1) the existing covered area directly to the rear and 2) The rear beer garden in the garden of the existing Humes Pub,” the Noise Impact Assessment stated.
They suggested mitigation measures including fully enclosing some areas, using sound insulation and not having any music in the smoking area.
A council planner noted Liam Browne had met with adjoining neighbours to discuss the beer garden and only two had objected.
The planner stated that the noise mitigation measures recommended in the Noise Impact Assessment were considered reasonable.
The application was granted subject to nine conditions on Friday, July 14.
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