Trespassers smoking on derelict Laois site have neighbours 'terrified'

Neighbours of a derelict housing site in a Laois town are "terrified" that smoking trespassers will cause their oil tanks to explode, and have been so for five years, due to inaction by the site owner.

A derelict site with expired planning permission for nine houses, is one of two ongoing afflictions for Beechfield residents in Portlaoise. The other is their altered entrance road.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald has again highlighted both issues to Laois County Council, asking them to "look again" at the junction, and to give an update on the derelict site, in a motion to the May meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.

It is her sixth motion in five years about the site. The first was in 2021. In 2024 she had reported that "squatters were back again".  Six months ago, Laois County Council assured her that a second derelict sites file had been opened on it and "the necessary steps to address dereliction" would be addressed.

"We all know there's a housing crisis and pressure, we'll be asked soon to rezone acres of land. This planning permission was granted years and years ago. It's close to the town centre but nothing has been done. The planning has expired, it's an absolute nuisance now. When anyone lights a cigarette or a match, there is danger. People are terrified for their oil tanks.

"It's not fair on people looking for houses, and on residents. It's totally wrong what's happened that site. It's a disgrace. What powers have we? Is there anything we can do," Cllr Fitzgerald pleaded.

Director of Services Simon Walton replied that the site is being dealt with under the Derelict Sites Act. 

"I'll ensure a comprehensive update from the planning department on any proposals. There is no other information I can give you," he said.

Cllr Fitzgerald also asked the council to "look again" at the Beechfield junction which was rebuilt to include a pedestrian crossing, forcing exiting drivers to stop too far back to see any approaching traffic on the busy N80 road.

"I know it meets guildelines but there's a huge stone wall on the left that definitely affects views exiting the estate. I really think it's dangerous. I want a certain case made for this because of the wall. They can't see. they have to come right out onto the crossing. Residents feel it's an accident waiting to happen," she warned.

Portlaoise area engineer Wes Wilkinson agreed to meet Cllr Fitzgerald and residents again on site to discuss the junction.

Read also: Big Portlaoise housing estate plans allotments

The site has long caused fear for Beechfield residents.

Permission was granted in July 2019 to Dysart Property Ltd, but it expired unused in November 2024. The permission covered demolition of the existing house, sheds and part of existing boundary wall and building nine 4 bedroom houses, with a new road access via Beechfield. Residents had objected to that plan, along with Cllr Fitzgerald and Deputy Sean Fleming.