Planning Permission Ireland
GrantedInfrastructureDecided 29 January 2026

Bord Na Móna lands within the townlands of, Knockballyboy Clonad Rathfeston Gorteenkeel Island Clonarrow or Riverlyons Drumcaw or Mountlucas Esker Beg Killeen Ballyhugh Mullalough or Cavemount, Coole Toberdaly Newtown Ballycon Esker More Colgagh an

Development of a recreational shared cycle and walkway on Bord Na Móna lands.

2560115 · Offaly County Council · Lodged 8 April 2025

Reference
2560115
Authority
Offaly County Council
Register status
Decided
Type
PERMISSION
Received
8 April 2025

Summary

AI-generated

This project proposes a shared cycle and walkway on Bord Na Móna lands, repurposing over 18km of former rail bed and pre-existing machine routes. It will connect to the Grand Canal Way, Mountlucas Wind Farm, and Cloncreen Wind Farm, and includes parking, EV charging spaces, and bridge upgrades.

Infrastructuregreenwaycyclewayamenityrecreation

Generated from the description above by an AI model and may contain mistakes. The council’s description is the authoritative record.

Official record

Development description

The development of a recreational shared cycle and walkway located on bord na móna lands. The development proposes the following: a) the delivery of a shared cycle and walkway on bord na móna lands. This will include the repurposing of 18,958 meters of existing former rail bed and 827 meters along pre-existing machine access routes. B) the proposed shared cycle and walkway will connect into the existing grand canal way within the townlands of coole and knockballyboy; the public amenity facilities at mountlucas wind farm within the townlands of clonarrow or riverlyons and drumcaw or mountlucas; and the cloncreen wind farm amenity track within the townland of clongarret. C) the construction of car and / or bicycle parking facilities at a number of gateway locations along the proposed route and the provision of ev charging spaces at the gateway locations. This will include; i. 3 type 3 gateways, ii. 2 type 4 gateways, iii. 7 minor rest points d) upgrade works to 2 no. Local access road crossings, and 6 no. Agricultural crossings. E) upgrade works to the croghan tippler bridge (bnm ref 37-109) and the ballycon rail bridge (bnm ref 37-112). F) the construction of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge extending to 30.5 meters spanning the grand canal within the coole townland, located adjacent to the existing grand canal lift bridge (bnm ref 37-05). G) the erection of wayfinding and interpretative signage at gateway locations along the route. H) the implementation of sustainable drainage systems (suds) nature-based drainage proposals at the gateway locations to cater for surface water drainage at car park locations. I) fencing and screening will be erected where required for biodiversity reasons which will include 7,636 meters of ecological screening. J) all other ancillary and associated site work. This planning application is accompanied by a natura impact statement (nis)

Key dates

Timeline

  1. Application received8 April 2025
  2. Further information requested30 May 2025
  3. Further information received27 November 2025
  4. Decision due30 January 2026
  5. Decision issued29 January 2026
  6. Grant issued12 March 2026
  7. Permission expiry11 March 2031

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