Council steps in to fix unfinished Celtic Tiger estate in Laois as developer defaults

Laois County Council are looking to carry out works in Clarmallagh housing estate

Published 16th Aug 2026, 19:00 BST Clarmallagh housing estate in The Swan. Laois County Council are looking to carry out works in Clarmallagh housing estate 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.

Laois County Council are seeking contractors to carry out infrastructural works in a Laois housing estate after its developer “failed to comply with the conditions of their planning permission.”

Contractors have been invited to tender for the planned infrastructural remedial works in the Clarmallagh housing estate in The Swan.

Located off the R430, the development was built around 20 years ago during the Celtic Tiger and consists of 34 private homes.

Laois County Council said that the original developers failed to comply with the conditions of their planning permission granted back in 2001.

As such, the developer has defaulted and Laois County Council has secured agreement from the bond company to carry out the necessary works to complete infrastructural services in the estate.

Laois car sales showroom to be transformed into play therapy centre Issues with the estate being left unfinished have been raised numerous times over the years, especially by The Swan native and former Cllr Padraig Fleming who has consistently sought for Laois County Council to take the estate in charge.

However, the Council was faced by a number of major issues which delayed the estate being taken in charge.

The three-month contract up for tender is to complete the works defaulted on by the developer.

These works include the replacement of footpaths as well as the removal of existing foul and surface water sewers and the reconstruction of them.

The contractor must also construct surface water sewers and manholes.

Other works listed in the contract include internal remedial works to manholes, raising and lowering ironwork for manhole covers, remedial works to hydrants, and the removal and re-laying of final wearing course to parts of the internal roads.

Road markings and signage must also be provided and a general tidy up and removal of construction debris in the estate.