Application to An Bord Pleanála for Approval for a Community Amphitheatre at Commons North Lime Quarry, Lanesborough, Co. Longford

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000 (AS AMENDED) & PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS 2001 (AS AMENDED)

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Notice of Application to An Bord Pleanala for Approval for the Construction of a 500 seat outdoor Community Amphitheatre in former Council Depot at Commons North Lime Quarry, Lanesborough, Co. Longford.

In accordance with Section 177AE (4)(a) of the Planning & Development Act (as amended) and the requirements of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended), notice is hereby given that Longford County Council proposes to seek the approval of An Bord Pleanála for the Construction of a 500 seat outdoor Community Amphitheatre in former Council Depot at Commons North Lime Quarry, Lanesborough, Co. Longford.

A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared in respect of the proposed development.

The Board may, in relation to an application for approval under section 177AE, of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, may give approval to the application for development with or without conditions or may refuse the application for development.

The Plans and Particulars and NIS will be available for inspection free of charge, or may be purchased on payment of a small fee (which shall not exceed the reasonable cost of making such a copy) during normal office hours, at the following locations from Friday, 20th October to Monday, 20th November 2023 at the following locations;

The Offices of An Bord Pleanala, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 V902 during the opening hours of 9.15am – 5.30pm, Mon - Fri (excl. public holidays).
The Planning Office, Áras an Chontae, Great Water Street, Longford, N39 NH56 during the opening hours of 10:00am – 13:00pm and 14:00pm – 16:00pm, Mon – Fri (excl. public holidays).

Submissions and observations, with respect to the proposed development, relating to:

The implications of the proposed development for proper planning and sustainable development in the area concerned;
The likely effects on the environment of the proposed development, and
The likely significant effects of the proposed development on a European site,

may only be made in writing to The Secretary, An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 V902 before 5.30 p.m. on Monday, 4th December 2023.

Project Description

Proposed construction of a 500 seat outdoor community amphitheatre in former Council Depot at Commons North Lime Quarry, Lanesborough, Co. Longford.

The development will consist of:

Permanent tiered seating (500 seats)
Stage with canvas canopy and steel support structure.
Temporary public ‘porta-loos’ including 1 no. accessible ‘porta-loo’.
1 no. 20 foot container (14 sqm) modified for equipment storage.
1 no. 20 foot container (14 sqm) modified to contain function services (temporary bar, first aid).
1 no. Sound booth (7 sqm).
Site lighting.
Associated landscaping and ancillary site works.

The proposed development is for an outdoor concert venue set in the former lime quarry (currently a council depot) in Commons North, Lanesborough, Co. Longford. It will comprise tiered seating (500 seats) in a landscaped embankment, with a stage with a canvas / steel canopy. The existing stone quarry face forms the backdrop to the stage. Site area: 6,180 sqm.

Ancillary accommodation (temporary toilets, bar, first aid, storage) are provided to service events.

Car parking is provided in the existing public car park adjacent to Lanesborough Bridge, from which existing pedestrian footpaths provide access to the venue site.

It is proposed that the venue will operate on Friday and Saturday evenings for the months of June, July and August, for live music performances.

The proposal has undergone Appropriate Assessment Screening under the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010, and the European Union (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 as amended, and a Natura Impact Statement has been prepared.

In addition, the proposal has also undergone screening for Environmental Impact Assessment under the EIA Directive 2011/92/EU as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU, (and the relevant provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended) which concluded that there is no real likelihood of significant effects on the environment arising from the proposed development and a determination has been made that an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) is not required.