Owner plans to resolve derelict Portlaoise housing sites

The owner of two derelict sites of Portlaoise houses that were never built 20 years ago, is now saying they will develop them, after getting legal notices.

Triogue Manor estate beside Dunnes Stores is "kept fantastic" making it "unfair" that the two unbuilt sites have been left idle, says Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley.

She wants the council to use a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to forcibly buy up the sites to build social housing on them. 

She tabled a motion on them to a recent meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District, asking the council for an update on the ownership, and the future use of the sites.

A senior planner with Laois County Council confirmed the owner and the actions taken.

"Nishata Ltd is the registered owner of 2 sites - 50 and 51 Triogue Manor. A second Section 8 notice (of intention to enter land as derelict site in the derelict site register) was served on the site owners on 13/6/23 as the company address changed during the process.

"The owner has responded verbally to his notice indicating their intention to address the derelict site notices and bring forward proposals for developing the sites," planner David O'Hara stated.

Cllr Dwane Stanley is "half disappointed".

"I had motions on several occasions. These two derelict vacant sites are in Triogue Manor where most were built 20 years ago. These two sites were left. It's unfair. We had to go down the road of health and safety to get a fence secured, well over a year ago it was brought to the attention of the housing department, and you were looking at the possibility of a Compulsory Purchase Order, to use these sites for housing.

Road in Portlaoise to close for almost two weeks

"Fair enough they changed hands but I want to see something concrete done. It's very unfair to residents. The estate is kept fantastic. We got the new fence and lots of different works done. I am asking that in the next three months the new owner comes with a plan for the sites. The CPO is a tool for all to use, I can't understand why you are not using it. There are problems with these sites for years. Enough is enough," she said.

She demands a report on the council's efforts so far.

"I want a report from the Vacant Housing Officer Gerry Ryan on how we go from looking at a CPO to nothing happening. I want feedback for the next meeting please," Cllr Dwane Stanley said.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald seconded her motion.

"We all know what vacant sites can do to an area," she said.