'Town centre decline' and high unemployment in Laois town getting new development plan

A Laois town hit with decline at its commercial centre and a lack of available jobs, is to get a new Local Area Plan.

The 4,900 residents of Mountmellick are being invited to give their ideas to Laois County Council for development over the  next six years.

As one of Laois' three biggest towns after Portlaoise and Portarlington, Mountmellick gets a new Local Area Plan with the next one to last from 2024 to 2030.

An "issues report" has been published to advise on what may go into that plan. It lists both the challenges and advantages that the once thriving 19th century industrial town nicknamed the "Manchester of Ireland" now faces. 

Mountmellick has an unemployment rate of one in eight workers, 12.5%, compared to the national average of 4.5%.

The flood defence scheme to prevent a repeat of the 2017 disaster is still at planning stage.

An N80 bypass to take some of the 10,000 passing vehicles a day out of the town centre is a Laois County Council aim, but is not listed in the National Development Plan 2021 - 2030 for funding.

Other challenges are listed as "High levels of out-commuting for work; “Passing through” status; Declining traditional town centre; Poor educational attainment and low skills base; Limited employment options; Traffic congestion; Absence of N80 by-pass; Sustainable management of surface water; Poor permeability within town centre; Improvements to public realm within town centre and without eroding built heritage; Poor broadband speeds; Rural crime; Irish Water infrastructure; Flood Risk; Climate Change.

However the Georgian town has advantages too according to the report.

"Location on N80 and proximity to Portlaoise and Tullamore; Water, energy and telecommunications infrastructure; High quality social facilities including library and schools; Mountmellick Development Association; Strong links to rural hinterland and rural enterprises; Strong community spirit; Architectural and cultural heritage; Environment and natural resources; Potential for tourism related development; Improvement of pedestrian and cycle networks."

The population grew by 2.7% between 2016 and 2022, to 4,905 people. There is a "diverse and multicultural population with 7% non-Irish nationals residing in the settlement (CSO 2016). 

One in five commercial buildings are vacant, according to GeoView statistics in 2022.

The 2016 Census reported that in Mountmellick the majority of persons commute to work, school or college by car (1,628 persons) and have a commute of under 15 minutes (1,079 persons), while 329 persons have a commute of over 1/1.5 hours.

The public are being asked to give their views on all aspects of the town, including housing, economic development, urban design and regeneration, transport and travel, the environment, heritage and landscape.

Submissions can be made up to 5pm on February 5, by post to: Laois County Council, Senior Planner, Áras an Chontae, JFL Avenue, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.  Online on http://consult.laois.ie By email: mountmellicklap@laoiscoco.ie

The draft plan will be published in spring, followed by more public consultation. The final plan will be adopted by September 2024.