Laois estates granted planning for completion 20 years after building began

A major housing development has been given the green light in Portarlington

Kingscroft Developments have been granted planning permission to build 76 housing units on a three hectare site at Cooltederry, Portarlington subject to 26 conditions. 

According to Kingscroft’s application, “the proposed development will fully complete the unfinished Castlelea / Gandon / Landsdowne Estates granted previously.” Those estates first went for planning in 2003.  

The latest planning application initially sought approval for 67 units in two and three storey blocks. 

That consisted of:”6 No. two-bedroom terrace dwellings, 23 No. three-bedroom terrace dwellings, 18 No. three-bedroom semi-detached dwellings, 2 No. three-bedroom detached dwellings, 16 No. four-bedroom semi-detached dwellings, and 2 No. four-bedroom detached dwellings; all with associated vehicular parking, boundary treatments, private and public open spaces, hard and soft landscaping, roads, pedestrian walkways and all other ancillary and associated site development.” 

However, following consultation and a number of requests for further information, the development was revised to include a total of 76 housing units.

The approved plans consist of three three storey high blocks comprising of mixed housing units.

The planner stated that “the housing is of a variety of house types are proposed along the western and eastern site boundaries. All dwellings proposed are considered to be acceptable in terms of external appearance, orientation and siting,”  the planner stated. 

“Notwithstanding my concerns of the number of apartments in this sub urban location, I note that the housing market appraisal notes that there would be buyers for such dwellings. Therefore, it meets the market needs. Overall this is considered to be acceptable,” the planner stated. 

The planning permission was approved by Laois County Council subject to 26 conditions on June 12.