Report of 960 homes near Saint Fintan’s Hospital in Portlaoise questioned

INFORMATION has been sought from the HSE following a recent report by the Land Development Agency that identified lands adjoining Saint Fintan’s Hospital in Portlaoise, that has the potential to realise up to 960 homes.

The request for the information came from Independent cllr Mulligan who said: “I know that the lands hasn’t been identified under the government’s housing strategy, so far, nor is it zoned for residential use by the council, but there is concern from the public and they don’t want to see houses going into that area. They want that green area protected. It’s parks and green areas that people want to see around the centre of town, if at all possible.” 

Speaking at the April meeting of Laois County Council cllr Mulligan said: “I understand that there is a shortage of housing and a need to build houses, but houses can be built on the outskirts of the town. Anything in the centre of the town we should be protecting and any green areas we have should be used as amenity areas.” 

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley supported the call for information from the HSE on any plans it may have for the grounds adjoining the hospital.

She said: “There has been discussions about a link road joining the Dublin and Stradbally Roads, that would go through grounds on Saint Fintan’s. We need amenities and we also need houses. I’d have no issue about building houses on the town’s fringes.” 

The council’s director of services Simon Walton said: “The Land Development Agency has its own raison d'être. It’s their report. We will liaise with them about their thinking around this.” 

He said the plan for the link road is an objective in the Portlaoise Local Area Plan, “for a road connection from the exiting roundabout on the Stradbally Road, through the HSE lands onto the Dublin Road and that objective remains.”