Laois council pushes ahead with plans to house nearly 250 people in Portlaoise

The planning stage is finally starting for a major multi-million euro state-provided housing development in Portlaoise, but it is not without objectors concerned at the impact on nature.

Laois County Council has notified the public this week that it is seeking permission from An Coimisiún Pleanála to build 67 homes on a large block of land it purchased six years ago, called Tyrrells land on the Stradbally Road.

The public notice in this week's Leinster Express says the homes would be built on 2.5 hectares of prime Portlaoise property.

Details new homes will be a mix of mainly three-bed and two-bed houses and apartments that would see 248 people being housed on land that is with within the curtilage of the protected Portrain House. The house remains in private ownership.

Only about a fifth of the 26-acre parkland, the 5.5 acres nearest the road, will be developed. The properties will be a mix of affordable and cost rental scheme homes to tackle the housing shortage in Laois.

Most of Tyrrell's land cannot be zoned for residential use so it is planned to become a park with sport and play areas, linking through the historic Downs woodlands to greatly expand the People's Park.

View of Tyrrells Land / Portrane House and lane to People's Park from the Stradbally Road, Portlaoise. Photo: Leinster Express

The plans went on public display in January for a month, attracting several submissions against it.

Local resident Sean Wynne is concerned for impact on the rookery.

"Anyone with an interest in the area will say that 'The Rookery' is likely to be so disturbed by the pandemonium of sound at the construction phase, that they are most likely to leave the site altogether. Thus, one of the unique features of the area is destroyed," he warned.

Objector Debbie O'Reilly accused the "competent authority" that decided an Environmental Impact Assessment was unnecessary with the planning application as "lazy".

"How any of their findings were accepted by both an Executive and Senior planner is really distressing and alarming. For me, it throws into question just how much of our precious local ecology is being lost and destroyed because of complacency within our planning department? If it can be deemed and accepted that land with an environmental value as rich and high as Tyrell's doesn't require an EIAR, then what does?" she asked.

The People's Park Portlaoise with the Portlaoise Ridge in background. Photo: Leinster Express

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage recommends that an archeological assessment be done before breaking ground. It said that an Appropriate Assessment was missing from the Part 8 application, and asked for clarity. It also requests an Ecological Impact Assessment and a bat survey.  

Another submission asked for the new rear gardens to face away from the protected structure Portrane House next door, and requests a 2 metre high stone faced boundary wall.

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Uisce Éireann said that a water connection is feasible, but a wastewater connection is feasible subject to upgrades.

The Tyrrells Land site was bought by the council for €1.4 million in 2021. Their first proposal of apartment blocks of 3, 4 and 5 storeys for a bigger number of 87 homes was rejected in 2021 by Portlaoise Municipal District councillors, who objected to the "high rise" buildings. 

The new plan includes public open space, a public walk-way along east boundary, flood defence infrastructure, upgraded vehicular access along the Stradbally Road, 116 car parking spaces and an ESB substation. The public can made submissions to An Coimisiún Pleanála up to October 24.