Apartment block planned behind derelict Laois convent

The developer of a derelict Laois convent has lodged a planning application to build an apartment block in the rear garden, after hitting cost problems.

Vesta Construction got full planning permission from Laois County Council last April to convert the listed Stradbally convent and chapel to produce 17 apartments.

They later put the boarded up landmark buildings on Stradbally Main Street, back up for sale on the Laois property market.

The move was described as “disappointing” by Cllr Paschal McEvoy in the October meeting of Laois County Council.

The permission allowed the renovation of the listed convent and church into 15 apartments, and the demolition of two rear buildings and construction of a new building with two final apartments.

Now the owner is asking to leave that entire project untouched for now, and start by building phase two, a larger apartment block, to help fund the main project.

They seek permission to build a 3 storey block of nine balconied two bedroom apartments, in the back garden.

They plan 26 parking spaces, half with E-chargers, the other half wired for future chargers. They propose to use the same previously approved entrance lane and utilities, and SUDS, archaeologist, flood risk and conservation works plans, with new conditions.

Laois architects NKSE explain the reasoning for their client, in the application.

“Since the grant of permission, the applicants have been actively looking to build out the Phase 1 permission. This has proved difficult due to the construction costs associated with the building.

“All avenues are being continuously explored, including the sale of the site in separate lots to try and bring someone on board that will develop the existing buildings.

“The 2nd Phase is seen as an offset of costs in the hope that it will make the site more appealing either through financing or sale. The delay with the Phase 1 development and the continued rising costs have not helped and it is hoped that this 2nd phase will be a quicker timeline for all.

“The 9 apartments have been designed as an extension to the residential development associated with the convent site as permitted. Together with the 17 apartments, the overall development will comprise 26 apartments of approximately 0.39 hectares.

“The proposal takes what would be a large garden space removing the possibility of neglect and anti-social behaviour by creating private and communal space for the residents of the entire scheme.

All the apartments are 80sqm approx. with 10.1sqm balconies.

“The proposal will deliver nine well-located homes, make productive use of an underutilised part of the convent lands and reinforce the ongoing regeneration of this important town-centre site,” the architects say.

The application was deemed invalid because the planners say floor plans and elevations do not correlate, and they ask for a photographic survey.

The original, approved application had received local objections.