Important changes to planning law are taking effect as the Planning and Development Act 2024 is being commenced on a phased basis.

OPR Logo

Upcoming OPR Training Webinar: Athlone Public Realm Improvements

 
  Friday, 28 November 2025
 10:00 to 11:30
  Designed for Local Authority and Regional Assembly Staff
 Online
 

The OPR, as part of its Strategic Research Programme, is looking at public realm improvements in Irish towns and cities to see how the work is being undertaken, what issues are arising and what lessons can be learnt.

The journey begins in Athlone with the impressive town centre public realm improvements recently completed by Westmeath County Council. This training webinar will focus on sharing insights from this project with presentations from Westmeath County Council, delivered by:

  • Councillor Vinny McCormack – Mayor of Athlone
  • Anne Marie Corroon – Head of Regeneration & Capital Projects
  • Cathaldus Hartin – Senior Planner
  • Lorraine Middleton – Executive Planner

The presentations will be followed by a Q&A session which will be moderated by John Keating, Senior Planner with the OPR’s Research, Training and Public Awareness team.

Disclaimer

The Planning and Development Act 2024 was signed into law on 17 October 2024. The Act is being commenced on a phased basis to facilitate a smooth transition from the existing legislation to the new legislation. It is important to note that transitional arrangements are in place. This means that certain elements of the work of the OPR remain under the previous legislation during this time.

This website will be updated at the earliest opportunity to correspond with the commencement of the various Parts of the Act.

Information on the commencement of the Act is available on the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage website.