Planning approval to knock Portlaoise protected derelict hotel

Demolition of the old county hotel on Portlaoise Main Street and a new three storey social apartment block have been given the green light by Laois County Council.

The derelict County Hotel, bought by the council in 2018 will be knocked this year, after Part 8 planning approval at the February council meeting. 

The building facade has protected architectural status, but with no rear access, reconstruction whilst saving it was deemed impossible.

In its place will be a modern apartment building with ten small social apartments for mainly older people, with an office on the ground floor for “social enterprise” use.

See plans and photos inside the doomed hotel here.

The approval did not come before arguments from Cllr Aisling Moran at the meeting.

She is unhappy that the Clúid approved housing body will build and eventually own the building.

“Laois County Council bought the premises, paid legal fees and architects and this is going to be handed to Clúid, what will the council get in return? The prices of houses in that area will only go up. 

“There’s no parking, but a lot of people have to bring their kids outside town to schools. There will be noise pollution in the middle of town from bars. The town centre needs to be saved for business. 

“Approved housing bodies are charities so pay very little tax. At the end of the day these private entities will own all the houses, we will own nothing,” she claimed.

All others disagreed, including the council CEO Michael Rainey.

“This is a key regeneration project, I was involved in acquiring it in 2018. It has been an issue for a long number of years. To see it come to the stage of construction is fantastic. 

“As regards approved housing bodies, I can confirm to you, our own housing section is at capacity. For us to meet our housing targets we have to have partnerships. We have had huge success delivering housing with partners who bring in their expertise. 

“We are not here to make a profit, we are here to deliver homes, and we will deliver a regenerated town centre. It’s footfall too. It ticks every box. I’d like to see this replicated in all towns across the county.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald proposed the planning approval, though she also has reservations about approved housing bodies owning so many of the social homes in Laois.

“This item is on the agenda for years. It’s derelict for years and years, it’s shameful, run down. It affects the businesses in the area. A lot of people waiting on the housing list don’t have cars. This is near the church, the Main Street, the train station, it’s suitable for apartments. I know the costs will be enormous, but we’ve been put in a Catch 22,” she said.

Cllr Marie Tuohy said the building has been “an eyesore and potential danger for what feels like 30 years”.

“It’s great we are at this stage. It’s a difficult site to develop. I like the idea of apartments bringing life into the town. If anyone takes up a tenancy they will be aware they will be in a town with noise and nightlife,” she said.

Two further Directors of Services also pushed for the approval.

Donal Brennan noted that the council has delivered five years of houses in two years and three months, thanks to projects by approved housing bodies like Clúid, Respond and Sophia.

Read also: Sewage on people's driveways in Portlaoise.

“They have skills in particular areas such as the convent project. They cannot use charity money for something other than charity use so there is a national protection there,” he said.

Planning director Angela Mcevoy said the ground floor office will provide the “living over shop” aspect.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly seconded.

“This has been going on for years, the council were going to try do it themselves, it was just getting so awkward. The people of Portlaoise are fed up looking at it,” he said.