Update given on reconstruction of 'eyesore' derelict hotel in Portlaoise

Laois County Council confirmed there has been some positive progress on the reconstruction of the derelict old county hotel on Main Street in Portlaoise. 

In July of this year, Clúid housing agency pulled out of the reconstruction project planned for the old county hotel due to the high cost of the development which comprised 10 small social housing apartments and a ground level shop.

The cost to knock the hotel and build eight one-bed and two two-bed apartments and the shop was estimated by Clúid back in 2022 as €7m. They decided to pull out of the project just weeks before the building was to be demolished.

The council's Chief Executive's Report was discussed at the November meeting of Laois County Council, which included an update on the county hotel project. 

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According to the report, a "revised stage one" of the plans are to be submitted for the county hotel. Cllr Marie Tuohy asked for clarity on the matter and a possible timeframe of delivery.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Tuohy said: "It's been an eyesore for thirty-odd years and unfortunately now even the mural on the front of it is starting to fall apart."

Director of Services for Housing at Laois County Council, Donal Brennan, explained: "We have to go back to the start and process it as a county council application. We're in process of selecting an architecture design team for it to bring it forward."

Brennan added that "we're in a good position" as the council are at Part 8 of the planning process. 

When pressed about a timeframe for the development, Brennan said: "Well we have the Part 8s." He pointed out that "with any project today with planning permission it'll be two years" before anything happens on the ground.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme