Houses could replace apartments in Laois housing estate

The number of homes in a new Laois housing estate could be reduced during the construction phase if Laois County Council grants permission to the developers to build houses instead of apartments.

An application has been lodged with the local authority to revise the An Lochán estate that's under construction in Summerhill. The changes will mean fewer and likely less expensive apartments on the Portlaoise property than when the local authority granted permission six years ago.

In 2019, Bircrest sought permission for 91 homes, of which 28 would have been apartments. This changed in 2022 when Tullyagan Residential Limited applied to amend the Bircrest project. It applied for permission to build houses and apartments.

At the time, it applied to build fewer apartments - 20. Of these, it said 12 would be located in one three-storey block and eight in three-bedroom duplex apartments. The developer has come back to the council seeking to reduce the number of homes by replacing apartments with houses.

It says the changes will consist of eight homes, all of which are two-storey semi-detached dwellings, four-bedroom six-person houses. The council has been told that the houses would replace the four three-bedroom apartments and eight three-bedroom duplexes approved under the application.

An architect's report submitted on behalf of Tullyagan Residential Limited says the change is a response to demands and will look good. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

"We believe this revision is a positive improvement, as there is strong demand for four-bedroom semi-detached homes, and the proposal aligns with the local area development plan. In addition, as these homes front onto the main road, their reduced height and massing will significantly enhance the overall appearance of the development.

"In summary, this amendment would result in the delivery of 82 homes on site, compared with 86 under the previous grant. This achieves 31 units/hectare," said the report.

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The change would have no impact on the affordable home or Part V obligation to provide homes to people on Laois County Council's waiting list. The nine Part V homes and 11 affordable houses are in other parts of the estate.

"The intention of the design is to create a high-quality exemplary community. The proposal has been carefully developed through an intensive design process to deliver a project of distinct and enduring quality. Consideration of proportion, roof forms, materiality, colour, and detailing has resulted in a contemporary design that remains respectful of the context of Portlaoise.

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"Particular attention has been given to material selection to minimise maintenance requirements while preserving the visual character and integrity of the development over time

"We are confident that this proposal is highly appropriate in äddressing the needs of the surrounding area, the development, and the zoning objective," concludes the architect's report.

The application was submitted to Laois County Council on September 16 but was deemed incomplete a day later.

An Lochán is located just off the N80 Stradbally Road. Portlaoise's big Holy Family Primary School campus borders the estate.