Massive Portlaoise estate plans approved by An Bord Pleanála

Plans to build a creche and 195 homes in Portlaoise have been approved by An Bord Pleanála.

Marina Quarter Ltd was previously granted conditional permission by Laois County Council to demolish four existing buildings and construct 195 homes, a creche with 68 places, 312 parking spaces and two ESB kiosks at Ballyroan, Portlaoise. 

The Large Scale Residential Development (LRD), which has been approved by An Bord Pleanála subject to 27 conditions, will require a new access road. The developer must come to an agreement on the design of the road with the local authority before construction can commence. 

A road safety audit must also be undertaken to address pedestrians, cyclists,  vulnerable road users and motorist safety in the proximity of the junction with the Dublin road and the proposed development. 

The application was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by three different parties,  Shane Lawlor, Enda and Marie Kelly and DM Leavy. 

In her appeal D M Leavy claimed the proposed junction onto the Dublin Road, which is designated as a regional road, is not appropriate. She also argued the proposed development is lacking in architectural merit with no sense of place or character and that certain open space areas in the plan were not compliant with development management standards and should be omitted.

In their submission to the board, Enda and Marie Kelly claimed they hadn’t given permission for part of their property at Cladybeg Cottage, Dublin Road, Portlaoise to be included in the planning application.  They also raised concern about the proposed connection of the link road with Rath Gailine and said insufficient provision had been made for pedestrians and cyclists. 

Shane Lawlor, a Sports Chiropractor operating Lawlor Clinic Spine & Sport on the Dublin Road, expressed concern about pedestrian safety around his premises. He raised concern about potential impact on the business during the construction phase of this development. He requested that the development be revised to ensure that it does not impact on pedestrians, cyclists, vehicular traffic, and their existing business including staff and customers. 

In response to the appeals the applicant said full account had been taken of pedestrians and cyclists in the design and Road Safety Audits. They said the proposed development is on lands within the control of the applicant or on Laois County Council lands for which consent can be agreed. 

They also argued the provision of the link road will improve road movements and permeability within this part of Portlaoise.

 In relation to the appeal from D.M Leavy they stated the appellant does not live in the area and has made numerous submissions/ appeals against the applicant.

The planned 195 residential units are a mix of two, three and four bedroom houses. Some of the houses are semi detached and some are terraced. The plans also include a number of one bedroomed apartments.

"High quality residential units are proposed, and two-character areas are proposed within the site. Full regard is had to the integration of the development with the existing adjoining area," said the applicant. 

The estate would be located two kilometres to the east of Portlaoise town centre off the Dublin Road on a 5.72 hectare site.