Objections prevent council takeover of Laois estate with broken paths

Laois residents of a large housing estate are waiting up to 35 years for it to be taken in charge by the council, with footpaths crumbling and roads breaking into potholes.

The holdup for many property owners in Broomville and Fielbrook, on the Dublin road in Portlaoise, is down to a objections by a small number of residents. 

Now Portlaoise Municipal District councillors have told Laois County Council to proceed, despite those objections.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said that "the vast majority want it taken in charge".

She laid out the case, while tabling a motion asking for an update for Broomville Close, at the February district meeting.

"About a year ago I had the same motion down and got the same response. This is one or two persons, not disrespecting them but the vast majority want it taken in charge for very obvious reasons.

"It's 23 years trying to get it taken in charge. In Brooomville Lawns it's 25 years. There is subsidence in the middle of the road. The potholes are getting bigger. There are broken kerbs all around it. The foopath is sinking. Parking is very bad too, people park on the green. There is a wall causing difficulty with youths climbing over. It could be treated with anti-climbing paint.

"This is holding the whole area up. It's very unfair that the rest of the area is left to ransom because others have concerns at what might take place in a field at the back of it. We're not going to be able to stop that, whoever owns it will have to put in for planning and then they can give submissions. 

The reply from Director of Services Simon Walton described how last April 2024, after the council was requested by Cllr Dwane Stanley to take Broomville and Fielbrook estates in charge, they went ahead and advertised their intention to do so.

"The taking in charge has not proceeded, arising from objections raised by some residents to it," he said.

The mature housing estate includes some areas already taken in charge, but objections related to Fielbrook Drive.

"There are some fears that there would be an entrance some time in the future to adjoining lands. I don't foresee if that will happen.

"We can proceed to take in charge the three areas on the left (Broomville Close, Broomville Lawns and Broomville Court). I can put it to the March council meeting.

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"We're willing to do it all. I've no problem if it is the will of the elected representatives that all of the remaining areas be brought forward in March," Mr Walton said.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said she fully supported the motion.

"It's really unfair to residents. Broomville Lawns is even longer, more than 35 years. They can't get a footpath or a light repaired. I want to make sure the two small areas on the right will be included," she said.