Portlaoise business takes fight for motorway sign to An Bord Pleanála

Portlaoise Plaza Ltd. applied for permission to retain the signage and advertisement as constructed on site on the motorway at Ballydavis.  The application was referred to  Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) who advised that due to its scale it would distract drivers and so adversely affect the operation and safety of the national road network. 

The TII also said that to grant planning permission to the business would set a precedent and would lead to the proliferation of such signs along the motorway. They said this would  result in "serious injury to the traffic safety in the area."

The sign measures 4m by 2m, is of metal sheet construction and is mounted on four upright steel posts. The sign directs drivers to the Portlaoise Plaza exit (junction 17) and also advises motorists of the availability of superfast EV charging points.

In the planning documents the applicant said: "The Plaza opened during the Covid epidemic and services along the motorway are only  coming back to normal in the last year or two. This is why knowledge of the location of such  services is particularly important at present. 

"The Plaza is run by the Supermacs Group who also own the Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise. Supermacs employs approx. 300 people in Laois between the hotel and the plaza and is  therefore one of the biggest employers in the County. The Plaza itself employs 150 people in the off season and up to 200 people in summer. 

"It is vitally important to the County that this level of employment is sustained. The loss of  signage of this nature would have a significant impact on the plaza service station and  therefore on this employment.  It is considered that permitting a sign of this nature would not lead to precedent or  proliferation as the service provided is directly related to the motorway use itself and there  are limited services of this nature in the general area. CONTINUE READING BELOW PHOTO

Supermac's owner Pat McDonagh at the The Portlaoise Plaza jobs announcement in July 2020. Picture: Alf Harvey.

"The Council will note that the sign is only visible for a limited stretch of road due to the  horizontal alignment. In addition, the sign is backed by vegetation in the hedgerow that  limits any undue visual impact.  The Council will also note that it does not interfere with or impact on any designated views  of prospects as set out in the Development Plan where it can be noted that there are no designated views or prospects close to the M7 on the outskirts of Portlaoise." 

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In their assessment of the structure TII said the application was contrary to national roads guidelines for planning authorities and contrary to the Laois County Development Plan. 

After taking on board the TII's input the Council planner stated: "The development is considered to be unacceptable in design, visual amenity and roads terms.

"Having regard to the location of the structure, which is highly visible from the M7  Motorway, to permit the proposed development would endanger public safety by  reason of traffic hazard and the obstruction of road users, would set an undesirable  precedent for further similar free standing advertising structures in this area which  could lead to a proliferation of such developments which would adversely affect the operational efficiency and safety of the road network particularly along the M7 with  resultant serious injury to the traffic safety in the area."

The Council refused retention planning permission on May 14, 2025. Portlaoise Plaza has now lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála.