Councillors vote to rezone two Laois sites for residential development

Additional residential zoning was sought at two locations in Portarlington during a council meeting to approve a new draft plan for the town. 

Councillors voted in favour of changing the zoning of a piece of land at the between Bracklone Street and Station Road near the Presentation Primary School in Portarlington. 

Denise and Scott Fitzpatrick of Bracklone Street had requested the measure in a submission to the Draft Portarlington Joint Local Area Plan 2025 to 2031. 

In their submission to the council they said: “We are formally requesting the rezoning of the land outline in red(marked as 2) from the current designation to residential zoning. These lands were  originally zoned as residential when we purchased the property, and we seek to return them to their original zoning status.” 

“The land is currently designated as educational amenities in the most recent town development plan(2010)However, this land is simply the back gardens of homes located along  Bracklone Street and does not serve any current educational purpose,” they stated. 

Independent Cllr Aidan Mullins asked councillors to consider the application to rezone at a recent meeting to adopt the plan. 

He proposed that the section of land be rezoned residential as he said there was adequate land for educational purposes in the area. 

“It is a town centre location there. I don’t think the expansion of the school would be negatively impacted,” said Cllr Mullins.   

Denise and Scott Fitzpatrick’s submission maintained that rezoning to residential would contribute positively to Portlarlington’s housing strategy and urban renewal objectives. 

“The development of these lands would improve the streetscap along Bracklone Street, potentially off-setting some of the on-street parking and enhancing the town’s entrance. This would also promote the development of several derelict cottages on Bracklone Street, improving the overall area,” they stated.

Their application to rezone the land was put to a vote at the council meeting in Portlaoise. Councillors voted 14 to one in favour of changing the zoning of the land. 

Meanwhile, councillors also voted to rezone a second piece of land belonging to the  Slattery family at Bog Road in Portarlington as residential.  

Cllr Mullins said the land covering a number of hectares was located in Laois and Offaly. He requested that the council consider zoning the Laois portion of the land as residential. 

“I am going to propose that the site in Laois is zone residential,” he said. 

He explained that it was located around 200 metres from Spa Street, Bridge which he said was “closer to town than some of the developments that are ongoing.” 

In their submission, the Slattery family said some of the land was zone agricultural and it adjoins residentially zoned land. 

“The Slattery family propose that the proximity of this site to the town centre and the presence of existing footpaths, local utilities, amenities and public transport make this land ideal for zoning New Residential with a mixture of houses for older people and younger families.

This is a good location for housing for older people in Portarlington. Access to facilities that are within walking distance ensures that residents are not isolated and have opportunities for healthcare, recreation, travel and leisure and supports independent living. The presence of younger families would enhance overall security and integration through residents' associations and younger agile neighbours,” the family stated. 

They said “the Slattery family also own the land across the opposite side of the Bog Road. This land is zoned flood plain and special area of conservation. In cooperation with the County Council this land could be used for enhanced amenity and leisure space.”

Following Cllr Mullin’s proposal, councillors voted in favour of rezoning the land. 

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The proposed zoning amendments to the draft plan will now go out to public consultation for a number of weeks. 

Director of Services Angela McEvoy said the amendment in the draft plan would go on display for three weeks before returning to the council for final approval in May or June this year.