Laois farm applies for planning permission to house overseas workers

A Mountrath farm has applied to Laois County Council to retain permission to house staff from overseas in their on-site accommodation.

The applicants, Island Estates, own a 405ha farm in Doon, Mountrath which was previously farmed as a Simmental suckler herd until 2021 when planning permission was granted for a milking parlour.

Beechill Farm, as it is known, then changed over to dairy, which they explained is a far higher labour intensive enterprise.

In the documents submitted with the application, Island Estates said they "took it for granted" that the additional needs of the farm could be met by local labourers.

However, they were forced to turn to sourcing experienced labourers from overseas after they had no success with employing locals. 

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Beechill Farm currently employs three men from overseas who have the necessary work permits, as well as three local men. 

The farm owners said that they will need to hire two more people when it is in full production. 

They explained that due to the lack of housing available in the local area for the farm workers, they felt obliged to provide suitable accommodation and decided to construct a custom designed dwelling house for the farm manager and a living quarters unit for the farm hands.

As such, Beechill Farm has applied to retain permission for its staff's accommodation, which is a two storey building with a single storey element consisting of one unit for its manager and accommodation for five workers.

Also included in the application is a septic tank, percolation area, as well as all associated and necessary site works

Laois County Council is due to make a decision on the application by May 25, 2026. 

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme