Planning permission sought for 24-hour car wash in Portlaoise

The development is proposed to be located in Lismard Business Park

Published 26th Jun 2026, 12:55 BST The site of the proposed car wash in Lismard Business Park in Portlaoise. The development is proposed to be located in Lismard Business Park 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.

Planning permission has been sought for a 24-hour car wash in Portlaoise .

Don Morrissey has submitted a planning application to Laois County Council to construct an automated car wash unit, a plant room with a water recycling system and all other associated site works.

The proposed car wash will be located in Lismard Business Park in Portlaoise.

The development comprises a fully automated touchless car wash facility which incorporates an integrated water recycling and treatment system.

According to the planning documents, “the system has been designed to significantly reduce potable water consumption, minimise wastewater generation and promote the sustainable use of water resources in accordance with current environmental best practice.”

The application states that the car wash would be located in an “underutilised” section of the carpark at Lismard Business Park. It would be behind BD Gym and within close proximity to Educate Together Portlaoise.

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The car wash would replace 15 car parking spaces from the current 45 spaces on the site, which are regularly used by parents dropping off and collecting their children from the nearby primary school.

However, a car parking survey was conducted as part of the application and it states that the development would not adversely affect parking in the area.

The usage of the carpark was recorded in early June before schools finished up for the summer. The report showed that the highest recorded occupancy of the carpark was 19 vehicles and this was in the morning time.

Overall, just under 12% of the carpark is used during the week. The report concluded that even with the reduction of 15 spaces, there is still “sufficient” parking in the area.

The application stated: “The proposed development represents a positive reuse of an underutilised section of an existing commercial car park.

“It will offer a useful amenity for business park users and the general public, while incorporating sustainable water use practices and minimising environmental impacts. The development is modest in scale, low in emissions, and consistent with the zoning and development objectives for the area.”

Related topics: Planning permission Laois County Council 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.