A Laois County Council decision to purchase a number of vacant properties that have been the subject of much vandalism in a Portlaoise estate has been warmly welcomed by a local councillor.
Three houses in Hepburn Court on the Mountmellick side of Portlaoise will be bought by the council under a compulsory purchase order after the go-ahead was given by An Bord Pleanala this week.
And Sinn Fein councillor Caroline Dwane-Stanley has welcomed the news having campaigned strongly on the issue for a number of years.
“This is absolutely great news,” said Cllr Dwane-Stanley. “We have been waiting years for this.
“The houses had been idle and in the hands of banks and various institutions. The council had to go to an oral hearing with An Bord Pleanala this week but thankfully there was a positive outcome.
“It’s great news for the residents of Hepburn Court and Hillview Drive and Mountain View and the general Ballyfin Road.
“The Council can demolish those buildings and while I haven’t seen any plans, I believe designs have been drawn up.”
It’s understood plans are in place by the council to build more housing, to meet the ever-increasing demands.
At this week’s meeting of Laois County Council, the councillors were told that under the Rebuilding Ireland programme 2018 to 2021 Laois County Council has been tasked with delivering 627 social housing units.
“The target for 2018 is 76 units and it is expected that Laois County Council will far exceed that target this year.
“Already in 2018 a total of 72 units have been delivered and a further 52 properties are at contract stage and will be delivered by the end of 2018.”
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