Laois councillors give planning approval to rebuilt burnt council houses

Construction work will soon start to rebuild a burnt out, demolished Laois council house, and the partly ruined house next door.

Number 13 Lakeglen in Portlaoise had to be demolished after it was gutted in a fire in 2022. It will be replaced with a five bedroom new home for a family on the council's housing waiting list.

Number 14 which was damaged by the fire next door, will be reconstructed as a three bedroom house. The residents of both houses were luckily uninjured but all had to be rehomed.

Both new houses will be designed to fit in with the style of other houses in Lake Glen estate, the council says.

Laois County Council says works will start before the end of March (Quarter 1) 2025.

It follows the Part 8 planning approval given by local councillors, at their February meeting.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley proposed the approval, seconded by Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald.

"I am delighted to see the progress we're making. This is the bane of the lives of residents. The residents association have done their best. It will be great to see two houses, particularly one for families with disabilities," she said.