Planning permission sought for development of new playground in Offaly
The proposed development was revealed as part of a new planning application submitted on June 2
Plans have been unveiled for the development of a new playground at Gortarevan in Lusmagh.
Details of the proposed development were revealed as part of a new planning application submitted to Offaly County Council by The Lusmagh Development Association on June 2.
The plans will consist of the construction of a new community playground and allotment area with associated works on lands leased from St.Cronan’s Parish, Lusmagh.
This includes playground equipment and safety surfacing, new lighting columns, a new footpath adjacent to the public road, connection to the public water mains, a walking track and bench seating.
The application also seeks permission for bicycle parking, an allotment area, boundary treatment, storage shed for garden tools, 10m x 8m stretch tent canopy with bark mulch flooring and all associated site and ancillary works.
The proposal details that the ambition of the project is to enhance local amenity provision, support community wellbeing and provide accessible outdoor space within walking distance of key community facilities.
The proposed site is centrally located within an established community setting and is directly connected to a cluster of existing amenities
These include the public car park opposite the site, the GAA grounds approximately 100m away, the national school approximately 80m away and the nearby church and associated community facilities.
No vehicular entrance is proposed for the site as the development will be accessed solely by pedestrians and cyclists and connects directly to the existing footpath network.
Additionally, no on-site parking is proposed for the playground as the application states that parking can be accommodated within the existing public car park opposite the site and the GAA car park which are both already used for community purposes.
Uisce Éireann issued their review on the application of the pre-connection enquiry in relation to the development and have confirmed that the site is feasible without the need for any infrastructure upgrades.
As part of the planning application, Lusmagh Development Association also submitted a maintenance plan for the proposed development.
This report outlines the inspection, upkeep and operational procedures required to ensure the safe, clean and effective long‑term use of the playground, allotments and walking track.
This includes weekly visual inspections, monthly operational inspections, annual independent inspections as well as regular surfacing maintenance, landscaping and Hedgerow management and litter checks.
The planning application confirms that no Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) license or waste license is required for the project as the location isn't deemed as a protected structure.
The planning application is currently at the pre-validation stage while consultation on the proposed works takes place.
The planning authority will consider if the site notice complies with all regulations and that the information submitted in the application is deemed correct before coming to a decision.
Any submissions or observations on the proposed development must be submitted by July 6 with the final decision on the planning application due on July 27.