Laois County Council signs off forced purchase of two derelict properties with housing plan
End of a long CPO process for derelict properties in Portarlington and Rathdowney .
Laois County Council has moved ahead with taking ownership of two prominent derelict properties in town centres in the county.
Properties and lands in Portarlington and Rathdowney are being bought by Compulsory Purchase Order.
This week the council confirmed that it has put the official seal on Vesting orders under the Derelict Sites Act, on September 2.
It follows permission given by An Coimisiún Pleanála to the compulsory acquisition of both of the properties.
The Portarlington property is 15 Bracklone Street. The council described the .006 hectare site as being “in a state of dereliction” and they have a housing plan for it.
It is nearly the end of the CPO process which began over two years ago back in early 2024. It includes a half constructed two storey building facing the street.
The council plans to create three new social housing units, a one bed and a pair of new two bedroom homes, on the Portarlington site. Read more here.
In Rathdowney, the property is in The Square, and described as “a derelict site comprising a two storey commercial unit and surrounding land… in a state of dereliction”. It covers about 0.15 hectares.
In both cases the council stresses that “any person who immediately before the making of the order had any estate or interest in or right in respect of the land” may contact them within the next 12 months, for compensation.