Timberframe company lodges plans for Portlaoise warehouse aiming to create 60 jobs 

A timberframe assembly company has lodged a planning application with Laois County Council for a new warehouse in Portlaoise that could create 60 jobs. 

KLK Developments Ltd. is seeking planning permission for a single-storey warehouse  for the assembly of timber-frame construction units at Togher National Enterprise Park. The company is also seeking permission for a front office block over two floors with staff welfare facilities (toilets, kitchenette, changing rooms). plus associated entrances, car parking, lighting, bicycle shelter, a service yard, and signage. Permission is also sought for associated site services and works and landscaping to include a 2.5m high palladium fence to the front with stone piers, and palisade fence to the sides rear and all associated site works.

The application states: "the proposed warehouse represents a  sustainable, employment-generating use of zoned lands and strengthens the economic base of Portlaoise and the Midlands region. The proposed warehouse will support local employment and light industry.

"KLK Developments Ltd. is a Timberframe assembly company in operation since 2018, and proposes  to employ approximately 60 people. The operation hours are proposed to be 9am-6pm weekdays."

This comes after a blow to the J17 National Enterprise Park with the news that The Leprino pizza mozzarella plant is being closed down on a phased basis, to fully shut by mid 2026 with the loss of 132 jobs. The custom built €130 million factory was the first flagship unit to open in the council's new J17 National Enterprise Park just four years ago in 2021.

Earlier this year Laois County Council issued a tender in search of a marketing company to promote the J17 National Enterprise Park in Portlaoise. The Business Support Unit of Laois County Council is searching for a company to 'coordinate information gathering' and  'develop and deliver a comprehensive, multi-channel campaign' that will promote the enterprise park as a premier business location. The Portlaoise park consists of 270 acres of enterprise/industrial zoned lands which includes lands owned by Laois County Council, IDA and private ownership.