Can it be built in Laois?
Water, electricity, planning and housing starts in Laois, from the operators' own registers.
In Laois, 6 of 29 settlements have no spare wastewater capacity and 2 have limited capacity; 5 of 8 substations show no spare demand capacity; 659 homes were started in the past 12 months (7.2 per 1,000 people).
Wastewater capacity
| Settlement | Plant | Capacity | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arless | Arless WWTP | Red | |
| Ballinakill | Ballinakill WWTP | Red | |
| Borris-in-Ossory | Borris‐in‐Ossory WWTP | Red | Yes |
| Newtown Doonane | Newtown Doonane WWTP | Red | |
| Swan | Swan WWTP | Red | |
| Timahoe | Timahoe WWTP | Red | |
| Clonaslee | Clonaslee WWTP | Amber | |
| Mountmellick | Mountmellick WWTP | Amber | |
| Abbeyleix | Abbeyleix WWTP | Green | |
| Ballacolla | Ballacolla WWTP | Green | |
| Ballybrittas | Ballybrittas WWTP | Green | |
| Ballylinan | Ballylinan WWTP | Green | |
| Ballyroan | Ballyroan WWTP | Green | Yes |
| Camross | Camross WWTP | Green | |
| Capalug | Capalug WWTP | Green | |
| Castletown | Castletown (Laois) WWTP | Green | |
| Clough | Clough WWTP | Green | |
| Coolanagh | Coolanagh WWTP | Green | |
| Coolrain | Coolrain WWTP | Green | |
| Durrow | Durrow WWTP | Green | |
| Emo | Emo WWTP | Green | |
| Errill | Errill WWTP | Green | |
| Kileen | Kileen WWTP | Green | |
| Mountrath | Mountrath WWTP | Green | |
| Portarlington | Portarlington WWTP | Green | |
| Portlaoise | Portlaoise WWTP | Green | Yes |
| Rathdowney | Rathdowney WWTP | Green | |
| Rosenallis | Rosenallis WWTP | Green | |
| Stradbally | Stradbally (Laois) WWTP | Green |
Electricity substations
| Substation | Class | Demand MVA | Gen MW |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOUNTMELLICK (387000) 38 kV STATION | MV | 0.0 | 5.4 |
| MOUNTRATH (388000) 38 kV STATION | MV | 0.0 | 5.4 |
| PALLAS (559000) 38 kV STATION | MV | 0.0 | 5.7 |
| PORTLAOISE (201000) 110 kV STATION | MV | 0.0 | 13.4 |
| RATHDOWNEY (391000) 38 kV STATION | MV | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| ABBEYLEIX (565000) 38 kV STATION | MV | 1.1 | 2.7 |
| PORTLAOISE (201000) 110 kV STATION | MV | 5.5 | 11.9 |
| PORTLAOISE (201000) 110 kV STATION | 38 kV | 23.7 | 13.4 |
Planning
Applications lodged in Laois, data to 30 Oct 2026. Median decision time 55 days.
By town (within ~3 km)
| Town | Applications (12m) | Homes granted | One-off houses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portlaoise | 134 | 354 | 0 |
| Portarlington | 79 | 10 | 3 |
| Abbeyleix | 44 | 9 | 0 |
| Ballybrittas | 39 | 8 | 0 |
| Mountmellick | 34 | 48 | 0 |
| Clonaslee | 28 | 6 | 0 |
| Rathdowney | 26 | 9 | 0 |
| Durrow | 24 | 1 | 0 |
| Emo | 23 | 6 | 0 |
| Mountrath | 22 | 26 | 0 |
| Killeen | 18 | 4 | 0 |
| Ballylinan | 16 | 76 | 0 |
| Stradbally | 16 | 6 | 0 |
| Ballyfin | 15 | 4 | 0 |
| Raheen | 15 | 5 | 0 |
| Ballinakill | 14 | 3 | 1 |
| Errill | 14 | 5 | 0 |
| Arless | 13 | 5 | 1 |
| Rosenallis | 13 | 6 | 0 |
| Shanahoe | 13 | 4 | 0 |
| Swan | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Timahoe | 11 | 8 | 0 |
| Ballyroan | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Camross | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| Castletown | 9 | 5 | 0 |
| Borris-In-Ossory | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Coolrain | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Ballybrophy | 5 | 2 | 1 |
Large schemes (50+ homes)
construct a 74 unit Residential Development, consisting of 6 No. Type A/ A1 two storey semi-detached 4 bedroom houses, 6 No. Type B two storey semi-detached 4 bedroom houses, 12 No. Type C/ C1 two storey terraced 3 bedroom houses, 20 no. Type D/ D1 two storey terraced 3 bedroom houses, 2 No. Type E/ E1 two storey semi-detached 5 bedroom houses and 2 no. three storey Apartment blocks with 28 no. ap
construct a Large Scale Residential Development at this site: Dargan Woods, Borris Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. The development will consist of: the provision of 174 no. residential house and apartment units and a creche facility on a site of 5.74ha. The site is generally greenfield land. The southern boundary is adjoined by Maryborough Crescent estate. Ashley Gardens, Colliers Wood and Hawthorn D
construct 88 no. residential units and all associated site development works including footpaths, parking, boundary treatments, drainage, bicycle and bin stores and landscaping/amenity areas at Colliers Lane, Ballyroan (townland), Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Site clearance works include the removal of walls and pavement associated with the decommissioned wastewater pumping station on the eastern bounda
carry out development which will consist of: A proposed residential and commercial development on a brownfield site of 4.96 hectares to include the construction of 217 no. single to four storey residential units; 2 No. mixed use three storey commercial buildings to accommodate a creche, ground floor retail units, restaurant, and office space; a new roads layout with two new vehicular entrances off
construct a creche (c. 961 sq m) and 74 No. residential dwellings comprising 64 No. 4-bed houses and 4 No. 1-bed and 6 No. 2-bed sheltered housing units. The proposed development will be 1 No. and 2 No. storeys in height. The development will also include: minor amendments to the landscape and boundary treatment to the south of the Phase 1A site to provide car parking and access to the proposed cr
construct 92 No. residential dwellings comprising 86 No. 4-bed houses and 6 No. 2-bed sheltered housing units. The proposed development will be 1 No. and 2 No. storeys in height. The development will also include: minor amendments to the Link Road permitted as part of Phases 1A & 1B and its continuation through the Phase 2 site; minor amendments to the landscape and boundary treatment to the south
Construct of 74 no. residential dwellings, comprising of 24 no. Duplexes, consisting of 12 no. two-bed units and 12 no. three-bed units over three storeys and 50 no. Apartments and Houses, consisting of 12 no. one-bed apartments, 10 no. two-bed apartments, 7 no. two-bed houses and 21 no. three-bed houses. All Apartments and Houses are two storeys. The development will also include the provision of
amend the design and layout of the development permitted under Laois County Council Reg. Ref. 19/432 (as amended by Laois County Council Reg. Ref. 24/46) comprising: A reduction in site area from 4.01 to 3.91 hectares to facilitate an increase to the size of the creche reservation area adjoining the site from 796 sq m to 982 sq m and the exclusion of the creche from the site area; modifications to
construct (a) 98 no. two-storey semi-detached dwellings which will consist of the following unit mix: 10no. 4-bed dwellings, 76no. 3-bed dwellings, and 12no. 2-bed dwellings, (b) Provision of new internal roadways and footpaths by extension of the proposed residential access road from Meadows Way and a possible link with Meadows Fort the subject of a concurrent planning application (Pl. Ref: 25/60
carry out development which will consist of: (a) The provision of 98no. two-storey semi-detached dwellings consisting of the following unit mix: 8no. 4-bed dwellings, 82no. 3-bed dwellings, and 8no. 2-bed dwellings, (b) Provision of new internal roadways and footpaths by extension of the existing residential access road from Meadows Way, with associated works to facilitate vehicular, pedestrian an
make alterations to a granted permission reference P23.3 at Crossneen, Carlow, Co. Laois. Alterations to provide for a partial revised layout to accommodate 2 No. Type C1 – four bedroom two storey semi-detached dwellings, plus 4 No. blocks Type D – each block containing 2 No. two bedroom two storey townhouses plus 2 No. two bedroom own door access apartments plus all landscaping and site enclosure
Housing starts
Public projects in Laois
| Project | Stage | Cost | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portlaoise - A Cultural Quarter | 4. Implementation | – | Laois County Council |
| Colaiste Mhuire Carlow, Knockbeg - 61130H | 5. Post Completion Review and Benefits Realisation | – | Department of Education |
| Portlaoise - A Low Carbon Town | 4. Implementation | – | Laois County Council |
| Libraries Capital Programme - Portlaoise Library | 5. Post Completion Review and Benefits Realisation | – | Laois County Council |
| Emo Court | 4. Implementation | – | Office of Public Works |
| Presentation Convent & Lands, Portlaoise, | 4. Implementation | – | Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
| Corrig Glen, Station Road, Portarlington, Co. Laois | 5. Post Completion Review and Benefits Realisation | – | Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
| St Vincent's Hospital, Mountmellick - Phase 1 | 4. Implementation | – | Department of Health |
| Heritage Led Regeneration of Portarlington Market House and Square | 4. Implementation | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise Placemaking for a low carbon town | 2. Pre- Tender - Project Design. Planning and Procurement Strategy | – | Laois County Council |
| Borris-in-Ossory - Removal of Dereliction | 5. Post Completion Review and Benefits Realisation | – | Laois County Council |
| Durrow Community Enterprise Hub | 2. Pre- Tender - Project Design. Planning and Procurement Strategy | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise MRH | 4. Implementation | – | Department of Health |
| Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme | 2. Pre- Tender - Project Design. Planning and Procurement Strategy | – | Office of Public Works |
| Portlaoise Primary Care Centre | 1. Strategic Assessment and Preliminary Business Case | – | Department of Health |
| St. Fintan's Portlaoise ECC Hub | 1. Strategic Assessment and Preliminary Business Case | – | Department of Health |
| Portlaoise MRH Fire Safety | 3. Post – Tender - Final Business Case | – | Department of Health |
| Kolbe Special School, Portlaoise 20100P | 4. Implementation | – | Department of Education |
| Scoil Chriost Rí, Portlaoise 63451O | 5. Post Completion Review and Benefits Realisation | – | Department of Education |
| St Mary's CBS, Portlaoise 63430G | 5. Post Completion Review and Benefits Realisation | – | Department of Education |
| Portlaoise - A Cultural Quarter - New Street to River Triogue | 4. Implementation | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise - A Cultural Quarter - Convent Urban Garden | 4. Implementation | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise - A Cultural Quarter - Work to the Hapenny School | 2. Pre- Tender - Project Design. Planning and Procurement Strategy | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise - A Cultural Quarter - Access platform on old turrett | 3. Post – Tender - Final Business Case | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise - A Cultural Quarter - Interpretive Audio Visual Space (Formerly demo of store/shed) | 3. Post – Tender - Final Business Case | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise - A Cultural Quarter - New County Library | 5. Post Completion Review and Benefits Realisation | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise - A Cultural Quarter - Refurbishment of Schoil Mhuire | 5. Post Completion Review and Benefits Realisation | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise - A Cultural Quarter - Railway Street Mobility Hub (Previously "Car & Bicycle Park CBS Lands") | 5. Post Completion Review and Benefits Realisation | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise - A Cultural Quarter - Fort Protector Phase 1 | 5. Post Completion Review and Benefits Realisation | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise - A Cultural Quarter - Fort Protector Phase 2 | 5. Post Completion Review and Benefits Realisation | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise - A Cultural Quarter - Old St. Peters Graveyard & Churchtower | 5. Post Completion Review and Benefits Realisation | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise - A Cultural Quarter - Outdoor Performance & Event Space (Formerly sch. Mhuire Car Park) | 5. Post Completion Review and Benefits Realisation | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise - A Cultural Quarter - Public Realm Alterations for Outdoor Performance & Event Space | 5. Post Completion Review and Benefits Realisation | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise - A Low Carbon Town - Solar Compactor Bins | 5. Post Completion Review and Benefits Realisation | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise - A Low Carbon Town - Park & Stride Feasibility Study | 5. Post Completion Review and Benefits Realisation | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise - A Low Carbon Town - Triogue Blueway | 4. Implementation | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise - A Low Carbon Town - Portlaoise Cycle Route Extension | 4. Implementation | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise - A Low Carbon Town - EV Charging Points (30 no.) | 4. Implementation | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise - A Low Carbon Town - Low Energy Lighting Upgrade | 4. Implementation | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise Placemaking for a low carbon town - Cultural Quarter connection to Main St and Portlaoise | 2. Pre- Tender - Project Design. Planning and Procurement Strategy | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise Placemaking for a low carbon town - Market Square-Main Street | 2. Pre- Tender - Project Design. Planning and Procurement Strategy | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise Placemaking for a low carbon town - James Fintan Lalor Avenue and associated works | 2. Pre- Tender - Project Design. Planning and Procurement Strategy | – | Laois County Council |
| Redevelopment of Derelict Courthouse (Heritage Building) into a Community and Enterprise Hub | 2. Pre- Tender - Project Design. Planning and Procurement Strategy | – | Laois County Council |
| Portlaoise Wastewater Treatment Plant | 3. Post – Tender - Final Business Case | – | Uisce Éireann |
Keep exploring
Sources: Uisce Éireann capacity registers; ESB Networks capacity heatmap; National Planning Application Database; DHLGH commencement notices; NDP construction pipeline. Registers are indicative, not connection offers.