The Office of Public Works has granted planning permission for a brand new Garda station in Portlaoise.
The €24 million plan, which was submitted in December, has been approved today.
The multi-million station will serve as Headquarters for the new Garda Division for Laois Offaly and Kildare – which encompasses around 600,000 people.
The garda station was originally built in the 1800s where it operated as a military barracks.
The planned multi-million euro works include the construction of a three-storey office block on the army site at the rear of the garda station.
While the demolition, rebuilding and major refurbishing on part of the old building will also be carried out.
The existing two story gymnasium building, which was constructed in 1910, will be demolished.
While so too will be two, two-story buildings that were built in 1980s.
Site development works include the provision of hard and soft landscaping, bin stores, 60 car parking spaces including three disabled parking spaces and 20 bicycle parking spaces.
Metal gates, signage, extensive hard and soft landscaping, lighting, CCTV, new railings and boundary wall treatments will also be included.
A new separate foul drain will connect to the existing public drainage system and all surface water will be attenuated on site.
Welcoming the news, Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan said it was another huge step in this vital project.
He said: “This is another hurdle crossed in this very important project for Laois.
“The next step now is for the Office of Public Works to assemble a team to move this project forward and I really look forward to see this advancing in the coming months.”
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