Housing estate under construction in Portlaoise delayed by a year

A housing development under construction in Portlaoise has sought to extend the duration period of its planning application due to delays to its completion. 

Fifty social homes are currently being built at Cedar Woods on the Mountmellick Road in Portlaoise, following planning approval in 2021.

CDP Architecture have now applied to Laois County Council for an Extension of Duration for the project for an additional year.

Despite the delay, CDP Architecture stated that the development has "progressed substantially and is well advanced on site."

Within their application, they gave an update on the project's progress which is expected to be completed within the additional year sought.

READ NEXT: Laois business owners and community leaders gather for regional conference

According to the documents submitted with the application, the majority of the houses and apartments are now up to roof level and are fully weathered. Interior stud works and fit-out is ongoing through to July 2026, as well as civil and infrastructure works which are due to be completed by September 2026. 

Final landscaping and boundary treatments are expected to be finished by October of this year and the final certification of BCAR and handover is targeted for November.

CDP Architecture said it intends to bring the development to full completion and occupation within the requested extended timeframe, ensuring full compliance with planning and building control requirements. 

They cited a number of reasons for the project's delay up until this point, which they said were "unforeseen circumstances outside the control of the applicant."

The initial delay came about due to the COVID-19 pandemic which caused disruptions throughout the construction sector with supply chain interruptions, labour shortages, and uncertainty within financial markets.

The withdrawal of key investors caused further delays as well as the negotiations and finalisation of contractual agreements which involved an Approved Housing Body as it is a social housing project.

Drainage infrastructure on site then required routing services through adjoining lands which meant securing agreements with neighbouring landowners which was another setback.

CDP Architecture also said the work was impacted by the "limited availability of suitably resourced contractors willing to undertake a development of this scale within the required timeframe."

The final reasons for its delay was outstanding civil and infrastructure works, such as the estate roads, footpaths, and public lighting, which were dependent on coordination with Uisce Éireann and ESB Networks.

CDP Architecture have confirmed that new funding arrangements are being secured and a main contractor has been appointed.

Laois County Council are due to make their decision on the application by Sunday, May 17.