Portlaoise parking shortage blamed on Laois convent construction workers

Construction workers on a big social housing scheme in Portlaoise, Laois are being blamed for taking up a public carpark.

Sinn Féin Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said she has received complaints from other workers in Portlaoise that there are no spaces left at Laois County Council's long term carpark at Millview.

She tabled a motion to the November meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District asking the council to provide temporary parking, for the workers on the Portlaoise Convent housing project.

The largescale housing project next door to the carpark, is by Sophia Housing and will provide 52 apartments for people on the housing waiting list.

Cllr Dwane Stanley asks the council to "open up the old basketball courts behind the convent school for construction workers on the site, to alleviate the shortage of parking spaces".

The council reply is that they are not in control of the basketball court as it is owned privately. The council said it will seek to explore using the land or finding other alternatives.

"I'm not really happy with that answer. This was brought to my attention three weeks ago. People working in town cannot get parking because the construction workers are using Millview.

"It has created a problem for people working in the town, they have nowhere to park. I came with a solution, to open the old basketball court and allow them to park there. All around the area, Church Street, Jessop Street, there is nowhere to park. 

"I accept it's in private ownership but it's coming up to the Christmas rush. It has to be addressed very quickly. I ask that you approach the owners, it's only a temporary measure," Cllr Dwane Stanley said.

Cllr Tommy Mulligan seconded her motion.

"If there is an option, we should explore it and press for it," he said.

The €26m Sophia Housing project is being developed in partnership with Laois County Council with Government support. The project will also provide community meeting spaces and a new tourist office. It includes a conversion of the old Presentation convent and school, and construction of new apartments on the site of the previously demolished parish church.

The basketball courts and site behind the convent site, including the former parish centre on the Dublin Road, are all owned by Graham Developments who have a planning application in with Laois County Council for shops and a restaurant on the site.