Playground, outdoor gym and classroom planned in largest Laois housing estate
Plans going on display for recreation facilities in Kilminchy, Portlaoise
The largest housing estate in Laois is finally set to get a playground, after almost 20 years.
Kilminchy in Portlaoise has over 1,000 houses and apartments, off the Dublin Road, and more are still being built, with thousands of Portlaoise residents now living there.
The estate that was begun by multiple developers during the celtic tiger is kilometres away from the town’s playgrounds, and only had a ball court for recreation. A playground was initially planned but some residents had objected to its location near their houses.
Now after years of waiting by young families, Laois County Council has announced its intention to build a playground, and other recreational facilities.
It will be next to the ball courts, according to a local councillor.
The council and Kilminchy Owners’ Management Company Ltd t/ Kilminchy Homeowners, has advertised their plan in this week’s Leinster Express newspaper, with details to be revealed this Wednesday.
They are giving notice of their intention to firstly, construct a new children’s adventure/natural playground.
They also plan to upgrade the existing multi-use ball courts, and to provide an outdoor gym area.
There will be a natural outdoor classroom space, and also new landscaping and a woodland and sculptural trail.
Also planned are natural seating areas and cycle stands, along with all associated site development works.
Last June when asking for progress on the plan, Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said that residents of Kilminchy asked for the playground to be near the basketball courts.
“The residents were looking for a playground in the vicinity of the basketball court. It’s very near public consultation. That will give residents an opportunity to put in a submission.
“After planning permission is granted, funding will be applied for through Laois Partnership or Connect Laois as it’s now called. Hopefully that will be successful. I think we have to come up with matching funding. It’s badly needed, it’s crying out for some sort of facilities in the area,” Cllr Dwane Stanley said.
In their advertisement, Laois County Council say that as the competent authority, it has carried out screenings and decided that there is no Environmental Impact Assessment or Appropriate Assessment as it is not likely to have significant effects on the environment.
Plans and particulars of the proposed development will be available for viewing on Laois County Council’s online consultation portal at https://consult.laois.ie, and in the council offices, from Wednesday, September 23 until October 21 inclusive.
The public can make submissions or observations online at https://consult.laois.ie before 5pm on November 6. They can also be posted to Simon Walton, Director of Services, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise and marked ‘Kilminchy Play and Amenity Area – Part VIII’.