More details revealed about proposed aparthotel in Portlaoise

Further details have been released about the proposed development of a five-storey aparthotel in Portlaoise. 

The Maltings and Granary Ltd. are seeking permission from Laois County Council to construct the five-storey aparthotel on Harpur's Lane in Portlaoise town.

The aparthotel is proposed to be developed at the existing Maltings development on Harpur's Lane which currently comprises a large number of residential units and The Residence, a nursing home which has space for 101 residents. 

There has been numerous planning applications for developments at this site in recent years. 

Planning permission had previously been sought by Creanross Ltd in 2022 for a three-storey apartment block on the site. Laois County Council had granted permission to the revised plans by Creanross Ltd.

The site was also approved for planning permission in 2024 for the construction of 22 apartments by Maltings and Granary Ltd. 

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This new application, which was submitted just before Christmas, states that the aparthotel would consist of 25 guest suites which includes 13 one-bedroom suites and 12 two-bedroom suites.

Also included in the application is a refuse store, bicycle store, service room, ESB substation, and a rooftop amenity terrace at the third floor level.

The planning application added that the proposed development would also consist of associated hard and soft landscaping, an external generator, boundary treatments, car parking, bicycle parking, vehicle access to the existing estate road, and all other associated site works.

It also noted that the development will consist of works which are within the curtilage of a protected structure.

According to documents submitted by the applicants, the intended use of the development will be to provide temporary accommodation for working professionals in the form of short and medium-term stays, rather than depending on transient tourism. 

The aparthotel specifically aims to support healthcare and construction workers in Portlaoise.

The application states: "Trainee nurses and doctors within the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise and the nursing home within the Maltings development would be able to avail of this temporary accommodation as well as construction workers and other professionals requiring temporary accommodation."

The development will differ from standard apartments, with no long-term leases or permanent residents. Stays at the aparthotel are envisaged to typically range from a few days to a few months. The development will also allow for corporate lettings. 

There will also be a range of services and amenities for those staying at the aparthotel, such as a communal reception and management office, regular cleaning and laundry services, as well as shared amenities like a lounge, laundry room, gym and canteen. 

The plans say that the accommodation model is based on traditional one-bed and two-bed apartment layouts. The apartments will be fully self-contained units with kitchen-living-dining areas to provide "an increased level of comfort and security" for anyone staying for longer periods of time. 

Also revealed in the updated plans is that the development will include 20 car parking spaces and access to the site will be positioned off of the existing road into the Maltings development. 

Laois County Council are due to make a decision on the application by 25 February 2026. 

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