Laois community concerned over alleged ‘unauthorised’ development in village

The community in Ballaghmore have raised safety concerns to local councillors and Gardaí

Published 9th Jul 2026, 17:55 BST Laois County Council is investigating the development in Ballaghmore. The community in Ballaghmore have raised safety concerns to local councillors and Gardaí Sign up to our Laois Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Laois Live within your account.

There have been concerns raised in a Laois village regarding an alleged "unauthorised" development on a site in the centre of the village.

Laois County Council is investigating the legality of the development on a site next to the newly opened Gaelscoil Shlí Dála in Ballaghmore and across from Kyle GAA Club.

Councillor Bergin raised the issue at the July meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick MD meeting, emphasising a number of concerns which have been communicated to him from members of the community.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Bergin claimed that it has been observed that new boundary walls, extensive hardcore surfacing and three new entrances onto the public road have been installed on the one acre site allegedly without any planning permission.

“It has been raised with me by several people in the locality serious concerns about the scale and nature of the development which is taking place on the site immediately adjacent to the community amenities. There’s caravans, commercial vehicles and horses on site,” the Fine Gael councillor said.

He went on to say that he knows Laois County Council are aware of the matter but highlighted the importance of the people in Ballaghmore being “entitled to know that if there is a development in the centre of the village that the development is lawful and the law has been applied consistently to it.”

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The motion Cllr Bergin presented to the council, sought for the road safety and unauthorised parking issues at the site to be addressed. He particularly noted the three entrances which have been made leading out onto the busy village road.

The MD Office said they will carry out a site inspection when the new school term commences in September to assess traffic behaviours and parking patterns at school times. However, Cllr Bergin argued that this cannot wait until September.

Cllr Bergin also told the council that concerns have been raised with him as well as the Gardaí regarding community safety.

He urged Laois County Council to see to it that “planning laws are enforced and enforced fairly.”

“I can’t understand how people can just come into an area and disregard all that. It seems there’s one law for us and another law for other people. We’ve had the same issue in other parts of the county too with the Shannon Road in Mountrath a few years ago and in The Heath.

“This is really a sting in the tail now. I ask that the planning laws are enforced and enforced fairly. If there is an unauthorised development the council needs to react swiftly.”

Other councillors supported Cllr Bergin, adding that community members have reached out to them too.

One such councillor was Cllr James Kelly who said this is a “major development and unsightly.”

Laois County Council said they could not comment on the issues put forth as it is an enforcement matter.