Setback for big number of new Laois homes after appeal to An Bord Pleanala

Plans for a big expansion of an already major housing estate in Portarlington have been appealed to An Bord Pleanala.

Laois County Council gave the green light for 60 housing units at 106 to 165 The Glen , Kilnacourt Wood in November.

The plans, which were approved by the council subject to 21 conditions, included a mixture of apartments and houses and were lodged by McKenzie Developments Ltd.

Their application sought to construct  16 houses comprising of six two-storey three-bedroom end-of-terrace houses and ten two-bedroom mid terrace houses. A total of 44 apartments, in two four-storey blocks comprising 22 two-bedroom apartments and 22 one-bedroom apartments were also planned. This is an amendment to the planning permission previously granted.

These plans have now been appealed to An Bord Pleanála by The Glen Residents' Association.

The residents association had made a submission to the council expressing concern about the development when it went to planning with the council. There were 16 other submissions lodged in relation to the application. 

The residents said development had begun at The Glen in 2004 and ended in 2009. In the meantime, they say their efforts to have the estate taken in charge by the council were unsuccessful and a snag list wasn’t completed by a contractor.

“We have no reason to believe that the outstanding works will be completed in the foreseeable future. As a result  of this failure, The Glen has not been taken in charge by Laois CC. This means that there are no road markings, signage, traffic calming measures in place in The Glen. The increase in construction traffic and ultimately residents traffic will make an already dangerous situation even worse,” they stated in a document dated in April 2023.

They expressed concern about the Kilnacourt Roundabout, which they described as “very dangerous” and they said there were 300 houses and 250 apartments in Kilnacourt with the majority located in The Glen with only one access road. 

The residents claimed there was a lack of green spaces in the area, they expressed concern about flooding and queried the plans for two four storey apartment blocks which they say is not in keeping with development in Portarlington. The residents also said the plans would cause problems with parking and a plan to reopen a cul-de-sac where they said children play.

Finally, the residents said there is a lack of facilities in Portarlington with access to a GP, dentist and school places already in high demand.

The residents have taken  their concerns to An Bord Pleanala who are expected to make a final decision in the case by April 29, 2024.