Laois County Council grants permission for 68-home scheme at Portlaoise, Co. Laois

In context

It is one of 56 housing scheme applications Laois County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 1,641 nationally. Of the 3,067 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 78% were granted.

What happens next

The applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 27 March 2024. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Laois County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

Proposed works at O’Devoy (O’Deevy) roundabout comprising active travel infrastructure improvements to include the introduction of new shared pedestrian/cycle areas on the southern side of the Southern Circular Road and Aghnaharna Drive and improved pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities across the site access arm of this junction. Proposal for the removal of the redundant western arm of the roundabout to the southeast at the Holy Family School Road and the provision of new active travel infrastructure incorporating a two-way cycle track with the adjoining footpath along the eastern boundary which transitions to a shared pedestrian / cycle facility to the north as it approaches the O’Kelly roundabout, and continues on the southern side of Aghnaharna Drive on the western arm of this roundabout. Wastewater will be pumped via a rising main to discharge into the existing 450mm public wastewater sewer to the north-east at the O’Kelly roundabout. Potable water supply will be provided through a new connection to the existing 400mm public watermain on Aghnaharna Drive. A pumping station is proposed southwest of the main development site. The development site area, roadworks, water and drainage works, and pumping station will provide a total application site area of c. 3.39 Ha. The development will consist of: a 2 No. storey Neighbourhood Centre (1,484 sq m) principally comprising a retail unit 361 sq m), a creche (289 sq m), refuse storage (23 sq m) and cycle storage (65 sq m) at ground floor level and office floorspace (746 sq m) at ground and first floor level; the provision of 57 No. houses (comprising of: 5 No. detached dwellings (three-storey 5-bed); 3 No. semi-detached corner dwellings (two-storey 4-bed); 29 No. semi-detached dwellings (two-storey 4-bed); 20 No. edge house t-shape dwellings (two-storey 4-bed); and 5 No. 3 No. storey duplexes comprising 5 No. 2-bed units and 5 No. 3-bed units. The development will also include: a new Link Road through the site, providing vehicular entrance/exit to the site via O’Devoy (O’Deevy) roundabout; roof plant at the Neighbourhood Centre; ancillary car parking spaces; public open space; boundary treatments; hard and soft landscaping; sub-stations; lighting; and all associated site and development works above and below ground.