Fears of flooding at old Centrepoint site

FEARS have been raised about potential flooding at the derelict Centrepoint site in Portlaoise, where a large housing development is in the early planning stages.

Cllr Paddy Buggy highlighted concern regarding the site of the demolished Centrepoint shopping centre on the Mountrath Road, as he asked Laois Co Council to engage with the site owners regarding a subsiding drain.

“An open drain is subsiding and it is crucial to taking surface water away in that part of Portlaoise. It needs to be piped or drained or it could lead to serious flooding. This is a crucial piece of infrastructure for handling surface water in Portlaoise and it needs urgent attention,” he told the September meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.

Cllr Buggy added: “Our weather has changed and when it rains now, we get a week’s rain in a shower. We need drains to take away that excessive surface water. The last thing we want to see is flooding in Portlaoise.

He was supported by Cllr Barry Walsh, who said: “I believe the owners are engaging with the council about developing the site, so I hope they will take action on this issue as part of that engagement.” 

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley agreed and said that work also needs to be done on the boundaries of the site, including shrubbery and overgrown trees that are encroaching on neighbours’ properties.

In a written response to Cllr Buggy’s proposal, an official said county council staff would liaise with the developers of the Centrepoint site, ‘regarding the maintenance of the surface water drain at this location’.

Laois Co Council confirmed last July say that the owners of the Centrepoint site are engaging with council planners, in advance of submitting an application for a large housing development on the 2.31 hectare site.

The old shopping centre, owned by Kerry-based firm Pimcar Ltd, was demolished following a fire in 2021 having been vacant for nearly 20 years.