Portlaoise residents seek help for troubled estate

TRESPASSING, speeding and anti-social behaviour are causing serious problems for residents in a Portlaoise housing estate, who have appealed to Laois County Council for help.

Residents of the newly built Maryborough Village on the Mountrath Road held a public meeting at Portlaoise Parish Centre, when they outlined their concerns to local politicians.

Their worries were highlighted by three councillors at the latest meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District, when an urgent appeal was made for the estate to be taken in charge by the council as soon as possible.

Cllrs Paddy Buggy (FG), Tommy Mulligan (Ind) and Barry Walsh (FG) all raised concerns about ongoing problems in the estate, as they asked for an update on the process to take Maryborough Village in charge.

Stressing that the estate has a lot of young families, Cllr Walsh said: “They want traffic calming. There is a lot of anti-social behaviour, with cars driving in and out. They are eager to have it taken over. There is anti-social behaviour and they'd like to come to the council for help and advice, but they can’t because some parts are not taken in charge.” 

Cllr Walsh said that, while residents hoped the estate would be handed over to the council within the next few months, he would like to see the council hold discussions with residents in the meantime.

He said: “It’s a nice estate and they need to get some resolution on this.” 

Cllr Mulligan said that trespassers are jumping over a wall into part of the estate. The issue might be resolved if the wall was raised, but this could not be done until the area was taken in charge by the council.

District cathaoirleach Cllr Buggy pointed out that there was a big turnout at the public meeting in the parish centre, as he said: “This community is doing great work and we should give them every support we can. I hope it is taken in charge in the next few months for their sake.” 

Cllr Buggy suggested that Laois-Offaly crime prevention officer Sgt Graham Kavanagh could be consulted, as he is involved in the design of safer estates to increase security and reduce crime.

In a written response, the council’s planning section said that responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of Maryborough Village rests with the developer, until such time as the estate is taken in charge. The council last wrote to the developer on 2 May, asking for an update on issues that remained to be completed.

In order to take the estate in charge, with responsibility for roads, lights and maintenance, the council first needs an application form, the upload of all drawings, certificates and reports to Laois County Council's shared portal, as-built drawings, CCTV surveys of manholes and drainage, health and safety files and the required reports and certificates.

Planning section staff said that, once all documentation is received, they will carry out an assessment and then advertise the estate for taking in charge.