Work begins on landmark Portlaoise housing plan

Work has started on a landmark row of Edwardian houses in Portlaoise, to be turned into seven homes for social housing, but with no parking spaces.

The Iona property development by Laois County Council covers three vacant houses and a garage on the Abbeyleix Road including house numbers 4, 5 and 6, between Market Square and JFL Avenue. 

The council has confirmed that "pre-tender enabling works" have begun to prepare the site, with the entrances currently being boarded up this October.

A shed on the left of the site will be replaced with four modern style apartments, while the other three red brick homes are to be renovated.

The town centre homes are described as being "ideal for non-car-dependent residents" with zero parking spaces.

A design statement explains access.

"The project has been designed to minimise opportunities for anti-social behavior and provide passive surveillance throughout. All units have own-door access from the courtyard, including the existing units via the back gardens. Access to the courtyard is by a key controlled gate, either from the street (Abbeyleix Road) or rear lane (Old Abbeyleix Road) respectively."

Designers had tried and rejected multiple ways to develop the "very tight" site into housing and parking, without over looking neighbours. The final design features a pair of two storey apartment blocks facing into the site, with front pedestrian access and rear vehicle access from what is the original Abbeyleix Road, now a residential access laneway.

It will have internal paved areas and green spaces.

The Iona housing project is a long time in the planning.

Laois County Council bought the Iona house in 2018 for €109,000, with the auctioneer describing it as “a stunning period home with immense charm, in need of complete refurbishment”.

It was April 2023 before the plan came before Portlaoise Municipal District councillors for approval, at which time they voiced concern that only six parking spaces were planned. Those spaces were all later removed from the plan. At that meeting it was said that the project was hoped to start by the end of 2023, and take a total of 18 months.

Read also: Another new roundabout in Portlaoise for new housing estates

The Iona plan was recently granted Stage 3 approval by the Department of Housing for funding and design.

The next step for Laois County Council is to advertise for construction tenders, which they say will be done before the end of 2025. 

No completion date or cost is yet confirmed.