Planning application received: change the use from pre-school facility to one-bedroom dwellinghouse and Retention Permission to Retain canopy and open

Clonincurragh, Mountrath – Laois County Council received a planning application on 6 June 2026 from the local community group Clonincurragh for a change of use at a site in the village. The proposal seeks to convert an existing pre‑school facility into a one‑bedroom dwellinghouse and to obtain retention permission to keep the canopy and open shed that currently sit behind the building, together with all associated site works.

The application, reference 2660347, was submitted by Clonincurragh residents who wish to repurpose the structure while preserving its existing outbuildings. The council will consider the request and is expected to deliver a decision by 31 July 2026. No decision has yet been made, so the status remains “decision code: N/A”.

This submission follows a string of recent planning decisions in Co Laois that have seen new dwellings, community centre alterations and other site works approved across the county. The council’s planning register now lists several projects ranging from two‑storey houses to upgraded on‑site wastewater treatment facilities.

The Clonincurragh proposal is notable for its focus on retaining existing structures rather than demolishing them. By securing retention permission for the canopy and open shed, the applicants aim to maintain a sense of continuity with the site’s past use as a pre‑school while adapting it to meet current housing needs.

Local residents have expressed support for the change, citing the need for more flexible housing options in the area. The council will weigh these considerations against planning guidelines and community impact assessments before making its final determination.

For further details on the application and related decisions, see the Laois County Council planning register entry reference 2660347.

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