‘Mucked up and destroyed’ Laois residents ‘livid’ at construction damage
Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley requests action on behalf of a Portlaoise residents association
Portlaoise residents are “livid” at damage done to their green area during construction of a new housing estate across the road.
Rossvale and Rossvale Court on the Mountmellick road are opposite the building site of the new Cedar Woods estate.
Last February part of their hedge was removed to gain access to a services hub on their green area. However they are not happy with how it has been left.
Their residents association contacted Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley, and she spoke up for them in no uncertain terms, at the October meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.
“They came to connect to services and they ploughed up the green, parked vehicles on it, there was muck all over the place. Next a concrete structure was built and left wide open.
“There’s a old dirty rotten barrier up on both sides. The grass is long. They’ve been living with this since February.
“They are absolutely just livid with the way the green was left. The builder has a responsibility to ensure the mess he left behind is reinstated,” Cllr Dwane Stanley said.
She continued on.
“We are nearly into November now, the reply says ‘forthcoming months’. What’s that? Another six months? Residents are not prepared to take that.
“The whole green is mucked up and destroyed. They are sickened with it. They take great pride in their estates. This is an absolute disgrace.
“When can we meet with the building control officer, the builder and the residents?” Cllr Dwane Stanley asked.
Cllr Tommy Mulligan seconded the motion which asks Laois County Council to ask the developer of Cedar Woods to immediately address the condition that the green is in, deal with the incomplete structure and reinstate the area.
“It’s not fair on residents. The developer who is responsible for the damage is responsible for the repair,” he said.
The reply from Portlaoise MD office was that the reinstatement is expected to be completed in forthcoming months, after electrical cabling is complete.
Cedar Woods is a new privately built social housing estate to provide 50 homes, and is expected to be compete in spring 2027. It had been hit by delays, starting with Covid issues in 2021, and most lately over construction of roads, footpaths and streetlights, which were dependent on coordination with Uisce Éireann and ESB Networks.