The man said he spent the quarter of a million tax-free winnings in just under a year to 'do up the house'
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27 Nov 2025
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27 Nov 2025
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The access road would have gone through open space at Kilnacourt Woods
Plans for a dozen houses were refused because a roadway leading to the properties would have cut through public open space.
Balatina Limited had applied for permission for the house which were to be a mix of semi detached, mid and end terraced two storey houses with access through the Kilnacourt Woods estate.
The plans, which included the construction of pathways and access roads, were lodged with Laois County Council for the 12 properties at Cooltederry, Portarlington, on December 3, 2024.
Kilnacourt resident John Lawlor objected to the plans and raised five areas of concern.
These included that “the development site layout plan indicates a proposal to construct a roadway through a designated ‘public open space’ of the Kilnacourt Woods housing development”.
“This is a public amenity and play area for the houses in this part of Kilnacourt Woods. Construction of a roadway here would contravene the original designation of the land use as public open space. This proposed roadway is immediately adjacent to the property of 389 Kilnacourt Woods and would spoil the public open space allocated under 00/53 for this and nearby properties,” his submission stated.
Another resident, Sorcha Carey, was concerned of the potential impact of the development on the value of her home.
Laois County Council refused planning permission on November 21. A Director of Services stated that: “The proposed development for 12 houses, including an access roadway and footpaths which traverse an area of public open space associated with the Kilnacourt Housing Development would be contrary to this zoning objective. Accordingly, the proposed development would be contrary to the provisions of the Portarlington Joint Local Area Plan 2025-2031 and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”
The Director also stated that the proposed development was considered to be in conflict with Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2024 and with the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027.
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