Housing announced for ruined Mountmellick malt factory in Laois

A derelict factory that dominates the Portlaoise road into Mountmellick, is to be turned into social housing.

The protected structure is to be converted into 30 social homes by Laois County Council.

The old Maltings site on the N80 Irishtown road, once a thriving local employer making a well known brand of health supplement, closed over 20 years ago.

Derelict for many years, it has been described as "an eyesore" that gives a "bad vibe" to the town, by councillors.

“It is totally derelict. It is the first thing you see coming into the town on the N80…It is well past the time to do something about it,” Cllr Paddy Bracken had said.

Plans were drawn up during the Celtic Tiger for its sleek restoration into a glass fronted apartment block, with roadside buildings demolished. However that plan never materialised.

Laois County Council bought up the site for a nominal price some years ago through state agency NAMA. They secured a grant of more than €80,000 in public money to replace construction fencing with a stone wall with railings.   

They revealed their plan at the April council meeting.

They say that a design team is yet to be appointed. Laois County Council itself will build the project. The detail of the type of housing it yet to be confirmed. 

The council said last January that it was investigating the potential of the site.

“The Old Maltings site at Irishtown, Mountmellick is now in council ownership. The council is investigating potential uses and redevelopment options for the site having regard to the location and protected structure in situ,” said the planner.