Demand for more commercial zoned land in Laois as some sites in 'wrong place'

Cllr James Kelly has said some lands zoned for industry are in the “wrong place”

Published 2nd Aug 2026, 15:00 BST Laois County Council. Cllr James Kelly has said some lands zoned for industry are in the “wrong place” 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.

More land needs to be zoned for industrial and commercial purposes in County Laois, one local councillor has argued.

In June, Laois County Council made 88 residential zoning changes across the county which has allowed for another 8,000 houses to be built, subject to planning approval.

The changes cover 25 settlements, mainly around Portlaoise , but also in Portarlington, Mountmellick, Graiguecullen, Abbeyleix, Stradbally, Ballinakill, Durrow, Ballyroan, Rathdowney, Timahoe, Ballylynan, Killeshin, Emo, Mountrath, Killenard, Ballybrittas, Emo, Vicarstown, Rosenallis, Clonaslee, Castletown and smaller rural settlements.

Following this, Cllr James Kelly has requested Laois County Council to begin rezoning extra lands for enterprise, industry, and economic development in Laois.

Presenting the motion at the Laois County Council meeting on Monday, July 27, Cllr Kelly called for the Council to initiate the process whereby a variation to the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027 would be considered to address the current status of Laois’ industrial and enterprise zoned land.

The Council informed Cllr Kelly that the process of reviewing the enterprise and economic development lands in Laois has in fact commenced with a view to preparing a variation of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027 with respect to zoning appropriate additional lands in 2026.

‘A genuine error’ - Laois bog walk reopens after damage done to boardwalk Laois County Council said the Planning Authority will be advertising before September 2026 to inform the variation going forward. They will update the council on this process as the variation preparation progresses.

Director of Services at Laois County Council, Angela McEvoy, said there will be a call for sites soon, similar to what was done for the residential zoning.

She urged that anyone with industrial or commercial lands which are currently zoned and wishes for that zoning to be reviewed should contact them. Additionally, anyone who has land which is not zoned and would like it to be reviewed should also reach out.

Cllr Kelly welcomed the news and emphasised the importance of attracting investment in the county. He also noted that some lands which are currently zoned for industrial use are not ideal.

“I’ve been looking at the different towns and villages on the County Development Plan. In my opinion, a lot of the sites that are zoned industrial are in the wrong place. They’re owned by farmers who will probably never allow industry on the land. They’re not in the proper areas,” the Independent councillor said.

He also pushed for the council to inquire about existing zoned lands which are currently lying ideal in order to understand the landowners’ intentions.

Cllr Kelly told the Council that a lot of businesses wish to expand but the land is not there to allow it.

Cllr Bergin backed Cllr Kelly’s points, noting that he has also had businesses contacting him in Borris-in-Ossory in relation to a lack of zoned sites for enterprise.