A major overhaul is underway on how planning and development will take place in Ireland over the next 20 years, with an urban planner and government advisor making the case that Portlaoise is ideally placed to be the major urban centre of the midlands with city status.
Dr Brian Hughes noted that the impressive population growth in Laois has seen it enjoy the same aggregate growth as Athlone, Tullamore and Mullingar, the three towns chosen as a gateway under the former Spatial Strategy.
“Everything is evidence based now,” he said, when it comes to planning and Portlaoise has much in its favour. He said Portlaoise is strategically placed close to the M7 and M8 motorways and also has a strong rail network. He said there is a strong necklace of towns which feed into Portlaoise including Mountmellick, Stradbally, Portarlington and Mountrath.
Portlaoise also proves attractive as a spill-over option from Dublin, for those who opt to live outside of the capital, Dr Hughes noted.
“Because of all these reasons, Portlaoise comes into the winners enclosure, rather than the losers enclosure,” he said when it comes to the possibility of being designated a city status, resulting in greater investment in infrastructure.
“There are very positive indicators on how Portlaoise is faring in relation to other towns,” he said.
As part of ‘Ireland 2040 – Our Plan’, views are being sought for the National Planning Framework which will guide planning in Ireland up to 2014. Submissions are now being sought from the public to help shape the national framework and can be submitted up to March 16 next. Further details will be available at www.ireland2040.ie
Five reasons why Portlaoise should be given city status
Population growth
It has enjoyed population growth of 5.6%, significantly above the national average of 3.7%
Outperforming other midlands towns
It has grown on a par with the aggregate population of the gateway towns of Athlone, Tullamore and Mullingar
Faces none of the obstacles of other midland towns
Portlaoise encounters none of the difficulties facing Athlone (flooding), Tullamore (wastewater difficulties) and Mullingar (too small)
Strategic position
It is strategically placed with strong rail and motorway links.
Strong local employment
There is strong local employment in the jails, local hospital, public service and education, which now needs to be matched by private sector employment
