New plans for Portlaoise site where Councillor complained of squatters

A developer has applied for permission to build apartments and townhouses in two blocks on a site of Beechfield House in Portlaoise. 

Dysart Property Limited has lodged a planning application with Laois County Council for the development at Beechfield House, Green Road, Portlaoise. 

The developer is seeking to build a total of 16 apartments and townhouses in two blocks at the site. 

According to the plans, each of the two blocks would have four ground floor apartments and four townhouses. The developer is also seeking to demolish part of the existing boundary wall and to provide new access. 

The site, which had now lapsed planning permission for nine houses, has been a cause of concern for some residents of the Beechfield Estate in Portlaoise.  The site was highlighted at a Council meeting in May 2024, when the issue of trespassers lighting fires near boundary walls close to neighbouring oil tanks was raised. 

At the time, Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald asked for an update on the derelict site. It was her sixth motion in five years about the site. The first was in 2021. In 2024 she reported that "squatters were back again". This was after Laois County Council assured her that a second derelict sites file had been opened on the site and that "the necessary steps to address dereliction" would be taken.

"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,” she told the May meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District. 

"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.

Permission was granted on the site 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 four bedroom houses, with a new road access via Beechfield. Residents had objected to that plan, along with Cllr Fitzgerald and Deputy Sean Fleming. 

Dysart Property Ltd lodged a new application for the proposed new development on Monday, September 29. It remains at pre-validation stage with Laois County Council.