Longford County Council has been granted approval to undertake a compulsory purchase order on a derelict property in the town.
Local councillor Uruemu Adejinmi called for the order to be sought in June of this year when she raised concerns over a rat infestation that's encroaching on a playground on St. Michael's Road.
She claims the large rodents are emerging from the vacant building close to the Tir na nOg creche with those attending the playschool forced to see and hear the rats.
The application was submitted to An Bord Pleanala to carry out the CPO on a house located at O'Connell Terrace.
A decision was expected in mid-January however no objections were lodged and the higher planning authority approved the application.
The Fianna Fail Councillor has welcomed the decision.
''Delighted to get the news after it's been approved by An Bord Pleanala and hopefully we'll see that making a swift process from here on in so to get things moving along, certainly looking forward to following up with the Council on progress and making sure that things are done in a timely matter.''
