Public Consultation: Variation No.2 to the Laois County Development Plan 2021 - 2027

Open25 Feb, 2026, 09:00 - 27 Mar, 2026, 17:00

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LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACT 2024 AND 2025

(SECTION 58 – VARIATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN)

 

Proposed Variation No. 2 of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027

Notice is hereby given that Laois County Council, in accordance with Section 58 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 and 2025, proposes to make a variation (hereinafter referred to as "Proposed Variation No.2") to the  Laois County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 (hereafter referred to as ‘the Plan’). The Proposed Variation will be incorporated into Volume 1 and Volume 2 of the Plan.

Reason for Proposed Variation No. 2

This Variation has been prepared to align the Plan with Ministerial Guidelines published in accordance with Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). The relevant guidelines are:

  1. NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2025), which were published to give effect to the National Planning Framework First Review (2025), and
  2. Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2024).

The proposed variation is also responding to Pillar 1: Activating Supply as set out in the Government Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness – Delivering Homes, Building Communities, 2025-2030 (November 2025).

The zoning of sufficient land is seen as a key enabler in the delivery of housing.

 

What is proposed in Variation No.2?

The proposed variation to the Plan is intended to address specific, immediate policy updates that are needed in the short term and proposes to:

  • Include Map 12.1 (Land Use Zoning Map) and Map 12.2 (Objectives Map) of the Carlow Graiguecullen Joint Urban Local Area Plan (2024-2030) within the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027, and then include:
  • Mapping changes setting out:
    • Proposed rezonings and the addition of residential zoned lands in response to the Ministerial Guidelines.

The Proposed Variation is accompanied by: 

  • A Residential Audit
  • A Site Assessment Report
  • A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment of the proposed zoning amendments
  • An Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening Report and associated AA Screening Determination, pursuant to the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and Planning and Development Act 2024 (as amended),
  • A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Screening Report and associated SEA Screening Determination pursuant to the European SEA Directive (2001/42/EC) European Union (Land Use Planning – SEA) Regulations 2025

Public Consultation

Proposed Variation No.2 is on public display from 25th February 2026 to 27th March 2026 (inclusive of both dates) at the following locations:

  • http://consult.laois.ie; and
  • Planning Office, Laois County Council, Aras an Chontae, JFL Avenue, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

Submissions/Observations

Written submissions with respect to proposed Variation No. 2 and / or the aforementioned Screening for SEA and AA documents made to the planning authority within the above-mentioned period will be taken into consideration before the making of the variation.                        

You can make an observation or submission via the following options only;

  • Online by registering on https://consult.Laois.ie/ where you can then make a submission on the draft chapters, appendix, environmental reports and maps; or  
  • Via email to cdp@laoiscoco.ie; or
  • In writing marked “Proposed Variation No. 2 - Laois County Development Plan 2021 - 2027 “to the Senior Planner, Planning Department, Laois County Council, Aras an Chontae, JFL Avenue, Portlaoise, Co Laois.

Observations or submissions must include the full name and address of the person(s) making the submission and where relevant, the body or organisation represented.

Please make your submission or observation by one medium only i.e. in hard copy or online. This will avoid the duplication of submission reference numbers and will streamline the process. All submissions should be clearly marked “Variation No.2 of Laois County Development Plan”.

Closing date for submissions is 27th March 2026, at 5.00 p.m. Late submissions will not be accepted.

 

NOTE

Please note that all submissions will be made available for public viewing on the Council’s consultation website during the plan-making period. Laois County Council will treat all personal data you may give as confidential. Laois County Council will retain your data for no longer than is necessary for the purpose of this County Development Plan and in accordance with the relevant Data Protection legislation.

 

Signed

Angela McEvoy

Director of Services

Laois County Council

Submissions

Make a Submission

Contents

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Materials

Variation No.2 (Appendix 4 SFRA).pdf
655.99 KB
Variation No.2 (Screening for AA Determination).pdf
50.9 KB
Variation No.2 (Screening for SEA Determination).pdf
52.45 KB
Variation No.2 of LCDP (21-27) - Newspaper Notice.pdf
245.55 KB
Variation No. 2 (Appendix 5 Screening for AA Reports).pdf
2.67 MB
Variation No. 2 (Appendix 5 SEA Report).pdf
890 KB
Variation No.2 (Appendix 1 Residential Audit).pdf
24.47 MB
Variation No.2 (Appendix 3 Site Assessments).pdf
639.64 KB
Variation No.2 to the LCDP 21-27.pdf
1.87 MB
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