Potential for nearly 1,000 Laois homes on Portlaoise site at €300 million cost

Portlaoise land owned by the HSE could deliver nearly 1,000 new homes for Laois people but developing them could cost over €300 million, according to a new report.

The finding is contained in the second Report on Relevant Public Land from the Land Development Agency which has identified 102 parcels of public property with the potential for the development of up to 70,830 homes around Ireland.

The analysis reviewed 55 towns or cities with a population exceeding 10,000 people. Public land deemed relevant for consideration for housing is all land within a town or city that is owned by a public body.

The LDA identified parcels of land with the potential for affordable and social housing in 26 of the towns and cities with one site identified in Portlaoise. The land in question is owned by the HSE and adjoins St Fintan's Hospital.

The report which was reviewed by the Leinster Express / Laois Live, says that the 28-hectare site is classed as being 'moderately constrained' for housing but nevertheless has the potential to yield between 680 and 960 new homes.

The LDA, which is a commercial State-sponsored body created to coordinate land within State control for more optimal uses, says the land is used for health care and open space.

Sandwiched between the busy Dublin and Stradbally Roads, the land is not identified in the Government's Housing Strategy nor is it zoned for residential purposes by Laois County Council.

The LDA says any housing development would have to be subject to an overarching spatial framework that would include HSE requirements to provide additional facilities on the land. The LDA adds that the local authority has plans to develop an active travel route through the site.

Some of the land that is being used for health and education purposes is not factored into the land that encompasses the St Fintan's lands which is also accessed from the Block Road that also serves the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

The Agency also outlines the potential cost. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

HSE has built a new car park on the site. Pic: Leinster Express / Laois Live

It estimates that the residential development alone could cost between €180 m and €210 m. Infrastructure to allow construction would could come in at between €62 m and €71 m. So-called 'abnormal infrastructure' could cost between €43 m and €47 m.

While the survey was completed in 2025, some of the land appears to already have been eliminated from development at least in the short term as the HSE has built a car park for Portlaoise hospital staff to the rear of the ambulance base on the Block Road.

Just one other site in Portlaoise was identified - the IDA business park and lands on the Mountrath Road. This was not considered suitable.

READ ALSO: New health projects for Laois in HSE spending plan

John Coleman, Chief Executive of the LDA, commented on the national plan

“Updating the Report on Relevant Public Land is a key part of the LDA’s work. The process creates a working guide to state-owned land in cities and towns and advises the Government on its potential use for affordable housing. Crucially, it also classifies the identified land, highlighting the high-potential sites that could be developed in the short to medium term.

“The LDA currently has a strong pipeline of land with a growing number of housing projects at all stages from design to under construction. This includes state-owned, acquired land and partnership projects with local authorities on land they own.

“A significant amount of state-owned land has already been transferred to the LDA and we are working closely with public bodies to unlock further sites to add to our direct delivery pipeline. I would like to thank all the public bodies who have worked with us to date and I would like to commend them for playing their part in addressing the country’s housing need,” he said.

The LDA is mandated to report to the Government on “relevant public land” and lands owned by the Agency that are assessed as fit for the purposes.

It says the latest report is subject to Government consideration and decision as to whether sites should be developed for social and affordable homes or retained in occupational use.

The report said a key part of the process was the engagement with Local Authorities, land owning bodies, Government Departments and Agencies. The LDA says it appreciates the engagement and feedback from all its stakeholders in support of the LDA’s assessment of the potential of the public land identified.