The process has begun to convert a rural Laois pub into a new accommodation centre.
Swans Bar, a long-time landmark in Clonaslee, is to be converted from a public house into a hostel.
Laois County Council are in the process of awarding planning permission for the development to Mr Evan Harding, however, the application is still in the pre-validation stage.
In total, the proposed new hostel is due to contain accommodation capacity of 29 beds spread across seven bedrooms.
The hostel will also feature a common room, a dining room, a self-catering kitchen, and an office.
The application includes the construction of three new masonry outbuildings within the existing external courtyard, to provide a bin store, general storage and a secure bike shed.
The existing shopfront is to be changed with additional windows and lighting to be installed.
Swans Bar closed its doors almost a decade ago with the business vacant since.
A decision from Laois County Council is due at the end of March.
Nua Healthcare Services have also received pre-validation to carry out a development at their site at Lea Road, Portarlington, consisting of:
- The removal of two existing steel sheds;
- The construction of three single occupancy, single-storey residential care units (65 square-metres each);
- These are to be provided in two standalone buildings with to the rear of the main residential care unit;
- Replacement of the existing wastewater treatment system and percolation area, with new facilities at a revised location.
The project is to also include hard and soft landscaping, soakaways, EV charging stations, bicycle parking, two laundry sheds and a 282 square-meter car park.
Meanwhile the Council have given Uisce Éireann the go-ahead for two projects in Portlaoise.
The national body will be removing and replacing an existing vent stack at the N80 Stradbally Road and another on Grattan Street, which is a protected structure.
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