Housing announced for ruined Mountmellick malt factory in Laois

A derelict factory that dominates the Portlaoise road into Mountmellick, is to be turned into social housing.

The protected structure is to be converted into 30 social homes by Laois County Council.

The old Maltings site on the N80 Irishtown road, once a thriving local employer making a well known brand of health supplement, closed over 20 years ago.

Derelict for many years, it has been described as "an eyesore" that gives a "bad vibe" to the town, by councillors.

“It is totally derelict. It is the first thing you see coming into the town on the N80…It is well past the time to do something about it,” Cllr Paddy Bracken had said.

Plans were drawn up during the Celtic Tiger for its sleek restoration into a glass fronted apartment block, with roadside buildings demolished. However that plan never materialised.

Laois County Council bought up the site for a nominal price some years ago through state agency NAMA. They secured a grant of more than €80,000 in public money to replace construction fencing with a stone wall with railings.   

They revealed their plan at the April council meeting.

They say that a design team is yet to be appointed. Laois County Council itself will build the project. The detail of the type of housing it yet to be confirmed. 

Angela McEvoy, Director of Services for planning told the Leinster Express / Laois Live more.

"Laois County Council is keen to progress the regeneration of the Old Maltings site and is currently looking to proceed to Design Stage for a new housing development on the old Maltings Site, Mountmellick, Co Laois.  These new homes are a key part of the Council's programme for the delivery of over 534 new social homes in County Laois over the five year period to from 2022 to 2026. One of the main objectives of Housing For All is the creation of sustainable communities. This development and these homes will play a vital part in enhancing and sustaining the town community of Mountmellick. This too will address the vacancy and dereliction on the site over a good number of years.

"At present the development is being considered for a mixture of units within the site of the Old Maltings buildings and will be delivered directly by Laois County Council. Funding for this development will be provided from Social Housing Investment Programme(SHIP) monies," she said.

The SHIP funding is capital support provided to Local Authorities under the Housing For All Programme to facilitate the funding of construction, acquisition or refurbishment of new social housing units.