Planning application · Laois County Council

construct two storey and part three storey 1000 pupil secondary school to include general…

The Downes , Portlaoise , Co. Laois

2560303 · LaoisGranted
Reference
2560303
Planning authority
Laois County Council
Received
20 May 2025
Decided
29 Jan 2026
Status
Granted
Site area
9.338 ha
Further information requested
14 Jul 2025
Further information received
27 Nov 2025

Proposed development

construct two storey and part three storey 1000 pupil secondary school to include general classrooms, specialist classrooms, a general-purpose hall, PE hall, offices, staff room, library, sanitary facilities and ancillary spaces. The development also includes the provision of: • New site entrance from O’Dowling roundabout on the Portlaoise South Orbital Route – R94 - Leading to new car and bus set down/ drop off area with 49 No. carparking spaces and with pedestrian & cycle route to the proposed school. • New site entrance from the adjoining Timahoe / Well Road (R426), access road with cycle and foot paths, bicycle spaces and 92 No. car parking space. • Provision of new footpath on the Timahoe / Well Road (R426), connecting to the existing. • Proposed new Hockey pitch with associated fencing, shelter dugouts and 8 no. flood lighting standards. • 6 no. ball courts, landscaped gardens and external social space. • Provision of a heat pump and gas storage areas, external stores and bin storage area. • Provision for all landscaping, boundary treatments, associated drainage, attenuation and other site services with all related site development and ancillary works. • A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be submitted to the planning authority with the application and the NIS will be available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy during office hours at the office of the relevant planning authority.

What happens next

Permission was granted on 29 Jan 2026. Third parties may appeal within four weeks; after that the permission is final and works can start once a commencement notice is lodged.

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