Planning permission has been sought for a new créche in Portlaoise, which hopes to accommodate up to 58 children.

The Maltings and Granary Ltd, who built and own 28 apartments near Portlaoise train station, are seeking to upgrade and expand upon existing planning permission granted for an on-site créche.

Planning was granted in 2022 for a créche with the capacity for 22 children at the site on Harpur's Lane, which the company wishes to upgrade to accommodate for 58 children. 

Pictured: Plans submitted to Laois County Council show the proposed créche on the ground floor of Block 6 of the development

The planning application was lodged on Thursday November 20, which states that the company wishes to 'intensify the usage' of the créche. 

The application also saw an increase to the size of the proposed car park, and revisions to the children's play area.

Plans show three spacious classrooms, a kitchen, a staff canteen, an office, a sleep room for children, a changing room, storage areas, three W/C for children and two for staff. There is also a sizeable enclosed outdoor play area proposed for the créche.

Classroom one hopes to accommodate 24 children over the age of three, and three staff members. Classroom two is designed to hold 22 children over the age of three, overseen by two staff members. The third classroom is proposed to accommodate 12 children aged two to three years, with two staff members overseeing the room.

Pictured: The site layout submitted for approval to Laois County Council's planning section

This is the 11th completed planning application proposing or modifying plans for the site since 2019. The proposed créche is located adjacent to The Residence Portlaoise nursing home, in Block 6 on the development site.

The project is overseen by Portarlington developer Tony Flanagan, son of Pat Flanagan and partner in Owenass Developments Ltd who have overseen the redevelopment of Rinuccini apartments on the Dublin Road, along with the construction of Esker Hills, Bellingham and Fairgreen housing developments in Portlaoise.

The site is located to the rear of the last remaining part of the former Minch Norton Maltings buildings, which was subject to a major property development that collapsed during the Celtic Tiger.

The apartments on this site are leased through cost rental housing managed by Clúid Housing, in partnership with Laois County Council.

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