Laois town receives planning permission for huge IDA development

Planning permission has been granted for upgrades to the IDA's 45 acre site in Portlaoise.

Minister of State Sean Fleming TD announced that the planning permission has been granted by Laois County Council to IDA Ireland for development works.

The permission allows the IDA to proceed with building new roads through these lands, the installation of two new bridges over water courses and various footpaths and lighting and all associated works to make this area ready for new industry.

"I have spoken personally with Michael Lohan, Chief Executive Officer of IDA Ireland and with Feargal O’Rourke, Chairman of IDA Ireland specifically in relation to this site," Minister Fleming said.

"The IDA is fully committed in getting a suitable business or businesses to come and set up an industry at this location which will benefit employment here in Co. Laois. 

"I am now urging the IDA to proceed as quickly as possible with the works they have been approved for so that they can immediately have the site ready when they have a suitable IDA client or clients to come to this site," he said.

"Overall, this is good news for Co. Laois. The original acquisition of this site which I urged the IDA to complete a couple of years ago is now on the move in terms of bringing new IDA jobs to Co. Laois," Minister Fleming finished.

Laois County Council have awarded the IDA planning permission to construct an extension to the existing internal road network from the T-junction to the South of the site, extending Westwards.

The development will include a road extension (approximately 170 metres long), two bridges over watercourses, associated footpaths, public lighting and all associated services and site works to facilitate the development at IDA Business and Technology Park, Mountrath Road, Portlaoise.

This development is subject to six conditions relating to lighting, traffic safety and management of construction waste.