Delivery date for 54 new social houses in Portlaoise on vandalised site

Over 50 Laois people and families on the waiting list for social housing will get homes in a new Portlaoise social housing estate within 18 months.

Construction is starting this October on the long delayed new estate Radharc Darach on the Ballyfin Road, replacing the vandalised and demolished housing estate Hepburn Court, and filling out the field behind it.

There will be 54 new timber frame constructed A-rated homes ready for tenants by April, 2026, confirmed to the Leinster Express / Laois Live. by Clúid Housing. 

Radharc Darach will have eight 2 bedroom bungalows and 46 2 bedroom two storey houses.

The field is used as a shortcut as well as a site for illegal dumping, but will now be fully closed off to the public as a building site.

An ESB line still has to be diverted out of the site.

It lies between Ballyfin Road and Harpur's Lane, bordered by multiple housing estates including Parnell Crescent, Hillview Drive, Mountain View, Clonrooske View and Oaklawn.

The housing agency has given an update this week to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"Clúid Housing Clúíd Housing and Laois County Council are pleased to collaborate on the construction of 54 new build homes at Radharc Darach on the Ballyfin Road, Portlaoise.

"Construction works will commence on site from October 2024 for a duration of 18 months. Cleary Doyle have been appointed by Clúid as the contractor and will be utilising timber frame construction to deliver 54 high-quality, secure, affordable homes for individuals and families in housing need in Laois County Council’s catchment area.

"Clúid’s vision is a society where everyone has a great place to live and we aim to achieve our vision by providing quality housing and services that enable people to create homes and thriving communities," they say.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley recently walked the site with Clúíd where she said activity is now beginning with ESB and Uisce Éireann on site.

"I welcome that, it's long overdue. The previous contractor pulled out. A letter has gone out that the site will be closed off until the work is done. People come through that site to school," she said.

The estate replaces the demolished Celtic tiger estate of Hepburn Court which had suffered severe vandalism that it had to be vacated. It was blocked off by the council who then had to use CPOs to buy all of the homes individually, in a long drawn out process. They also bought and knocked a squash court used as a religious meeting hall. More here.