Housing development in Laois will stall if infrastructure is not in place

THE lack of critical infrastructure in towns and villages around Laois will stall much needed housing developments.

That’s according to Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley who said that towns such as Rathdowney, Portarlington, Mountrath, Ballylinan and Stradbally “have reached or exceeded capacity in relation to water supply.” 

 He said: “Mountmellick and Graiguecullen have almost reached capacity limits in terms of sewage/wastewater capacity. Borris-in-Ossory, Ballinakill and The Swan have reached their limits in terms of both water supply and wastewater treatment.

“Uisce Éireann has not increased the water supply capacity in any Laois town since it came into being 11 years ago, despite the billions of euros that it has received. Any significant housing development will be held back if service capacity is not increased across these locations in Laois”.

The Portlaoise based TD said: “It’s essential that wastewater and sewage capacity is upgraded in the coming years. The funding of projects in the National Development Plan is to be announced shortly and must include water and electricity infrastructure in Laois.

“While the announcement by Uisce Éireann of improvement works to Ballyroan sewage treatment scheme is welcome, almost all other Laois towns and villages have infrastructure deficits.

“Portlaoise also has a electricity capacity issue which the ESB informed me they are working to improve. However, information that was recently given about the Sand Wood Estate in Portlaoise was incorrect in stating that it had been held up by the ESB. In fact, it had been held up by the developer who didn’t have the required work in place, including bases for transformers and other civil works completed. This was clarified at the time by the ESB who clearly stated that they have been ready to go ahead with connections since June. But were informed by the builders it would take another three weeks before they were ready.” 

Deputy Stanley said: “There is a huge demand for private, social and affordable to buy housing schemes across the county. Unless the Government include Laois in their funding plans for infrastructure and our towns and villages get their slice of the National Development Plan funding, housing in Laois will be stalled.”