Downs

21 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Downs, from 44 m² to 60,482 m² (6.05 ha, 14.95 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 27 neighbouring parcels touch it.

Download the townland: DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings; GeoJSON or KML.

• C1.1General Business (Commercial, retail)
  LAOIS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2021-2027, Laois · 27 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• R2Residential 1 - Existing Residential (Existing residential)
  LAOIS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2021-2027, Laois · 6 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G4Open Space and Amenity (Active open space)
  LAOIS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2021-2027, Laois · 4 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• S5Community Educational and Institutional (Mixed/general community services/facilities uses)
  LAOIS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2021-2027, Laois · 4 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• O1Strategic Reserve (Strategic reserve, White land)
  LAOIS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2021-2027, Laois · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• R3Residential 2 (Residential, mixed residential and other uses)
  LAOIS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2021-2027, Laois · 0 parcels The zoning objective in the plan

Source: Tailte Éireann and the Department of Housing (MyPlan), national zoning, CC BY 4.0.

• 14 Sept 2026N/a

  retain amendments to 7 No. houses permitted as part of the residential development granted under LCC Reg. Ref. 25/60385 at a c. 3.85 Ha site at Summerhill, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. This application relates to Phase 2 of the wider Sand Wood Development (generally bound by: the Southern Circular Road and Aghnaharna Drive to the north; the Holy Family Schools and Ashewood Walk to the east; and agricultural land to the south and west). The Phase 2 site is generally bound by: agricultural lands to the west; Phases 1A & 1B (permitted under LCC Reg. Refs. 23/60350 & 23/60348, as amended under LCC Reg. Ref. 25/60040) to the north, which are near completion and partially occupied; and Phase 3 (permitted under LCC Reg. Ref. 25/60386) to the south and east. Retention permission is sought for the re-orientation of 6 No. 4-bed houses (‘D’ house type) located along the northern boundary of the site, resulting in the front of the house now facing the internal street to the north; the relocation of the adjacent 4-bed house (‘B1’ house type) further west by approximately 2-metres; and minor amendments to hard and soft landscaping, boundary treatments, car parking and all other associated works above and below ground located adjacent to and within the curtilage of the 7 No. houses. No amendments have been made to the remaining 85 No. permitted residential units.

  Retention · Laois County Council, 2660642

• 11 Sept 2026N/a

  make amendments to the residential development permitted under LCC Reg. Ref. 25/60385 at a c. 3.85 Ha site at Summerhill, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. This application relates to Phase 2 of the wider Sand Wood Development (generally bound by: the Southern Circular Road and Aghnaharna Drive to the north; the Holy Family Schools and Ashewood Walk to the east; and agricultural land to the south and west). The Phase 2 site is generally bound by: agricultural lands to the west; Phases 1A & 1B (permitted under LCC Reg. Refs. 23/60350 & 23/60348, as amended under LCC Reg. Ref. 25/60040) to the north, which are near completion and partially occupied; and Phase 3 (permitted under LCC Reg. Ref. 25/60386) to the south and east. The proposed amendments principally comprise: the replacement of 18 No. permitted two-storey 4-bed houses within the south-eastern extent of the site with 24 No. houses (19 No. three-storey 3-bed houses and 5 No. two-storey 4-bed houses), resulting in an increase of 6 No. houses; and the repositioning of 4 No. permitted two-storey 4-bed houses further north by approximately 1-metre to align with the front building line of the other permitted houses along the same street. The proposed amendments also comprise: new bicycle stores; amendments to the location and number of car parking (additional 12 No. spaces proposed); private amenity space; hard and soft landscaping; boundary treatments; and all associated works above and below ground.

  Permission, 1 home · Laois County Council, 2660636

• 8 Sept 2026N/a

  retain amendments to 7 No. houses permitted as part of the residential development granted under LCC Reg. Ref. 25/60385 at a c. 3.85 Ha site at Summerhill, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. This application relates to Phase 2 of the wider Sand Wood Development (generally bound by: the Southern Circular Road and Aghnaharna Drive to the north; the Holy Family Schools and Ashewood Walk to the east; and agricultural land to the south and west). The Phase 2 site is generally bound by: agricultural lands to the west; Phases 1A & 1B (permitted under LCC Reg. Refs. 23/60350 & 23/60348, as amended under LCC Reg. Ref. 25/60040) to the north, which are near completion and partially occupied; and Phase 3 (permitted under LCC Reg. Ref. 25/60386) to the south and east. Retention permission is sought for the re-orientation of 6 No. 4-bed houses (‘D’ house type) located along the northern boundary of the site, resulting in the front of the house now facing the internal street to the north; the relocation of the adjacent 4-bed house (‘B1’ house type) further west by approximately 2-metres; and minor amendments to hard and soft landscaping, boundary treatments, car parking and all other associated works above and below ground located adjacent to and within the curtilage of the 7 No. houses. No amendments have been made to the remaining 85 No. permitted residential units.

  Retention · Laois County Council, 2660624

• 8 Sept 2026N/a

  amend the residential development permitted under LCC Reg. Ref. 25/60385 at a c. 3.85 Ha site at Summerhill, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. This application relates to Phase 2 of the wider Sand Wood Development (generally bound by: the Southern Circular Road and Aghnaharna Drive to the north; the Holy Family Schools and Ashewood Walk to the east; and agricultural land to the south and west). The Phase 2 site is generally bound by: agricultural lands to the west; Phases 1A & 1B (permitted under LCC Reg. Refs. 23/60350 & 23/60348, as amended under LCC Reg. Ref. 25/60040) to the north, which are near completion and partially occupied; and Phase 3 (permitted under LCC Reg. Ref. 25/60386) to the south and east. The proposed amendments principally comprise: the replacement of 18 No. permitted two-storey 4-bed houses within the south-eastern extent of the site with 24 No. houses (19 No. three-storey 3-bed houses and 5 No. two-storey 4-bed houses), resulting in an increase of 6 No. houses; and the repositioning of 4 No. permitted two-storey 4-bed houses further north by approximately 1-metre to align with the front building line of the other permitted houses along the same street. The proposed amendments also comprise: new bicycle stores; amendments to the location and number of car parking (additional 12 No. spaces proposed); private amenity space; hard and soft landscaping; boundary treatments; and all associated works above and below ground.

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2660627

• 26 Jun 2026Conditional

  construct a Car Wash Automated Unit, a plant room with a water recycling system and all associated site works.

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2660408

• 24 Jun 2026N/a

  construct a Car Wash Automated Unit, a plant room with a water recycling system and all associated site works.

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2660401

• 2 Jun 2026Conditional

  install sustainable energy compounds to host an LPG tank and heat pump modules, and all associated site development works under a Renewable Energy Directive III (RED III) Development.

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2660335

• 20 May 2026N/a

  A) the demolition of a section of an existing industrial building, B) the erection of a new steel frame structure, C) construction of a concrete wall, D) all associated site works. Planning Permission is sought for A) the completion of the partially constructed industrial shed, B) the replacement of existing cladding on the existing building, C) and all site works necessary to facilitate the development.

  Retention · Laois County Council, 2660293

• 6 May 2026Refused

  amend permission of the permitted Neighbourhood Centre building granted under LCC Reg. Ref. 23/60348, as amended under LCC Reg. Ref. 25/60040, (now known as ‘Sand Wood’). The site is generally bound to the north by Aghnaharna Drive, to the east by Holy Family School Road, and to the west and south by undeveloped lands and a residential development currently under construction, granted under LCC Reg. Ref. 23/60350 (also known as ‘Sand Wood’). No amendments are proposed to the permitted 67 No. residential units. The development will principally consist of: the change of use of the permitted creche and cycle store to a retail unit; the subdivision and part change of use of the permitted retail unit to a medical centre, retail unit, a refuse store and ESB switchroom; provision of a mezzanine level (c. 139 sq m) above first floor level within the southern extent of the Neighbourhood Centre building to provide additional office floor space; rationalisation of the ground and first floor layouts of the Neighbourhood Centre building and modifications to the footprint of the building, increasing the floor area by c. 57 sq m. The development will result in an overall increase in floor area of the Neighbourhood Centre building by c. 196 sq m, from 1,426 sq m to c. 1,622 sq m. The development also proposes: the provision of 3 No. additional car parking spaces; minor cycle & car parking layout changes; landscaping; boundary treatments; and all other associated site works above and below ground.

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2660260

• 5 May 2026N/a

  retain the following A) the demolition of a section of an existing industrial building, B) the erection of a new steel frame structure, C) construction of a concrete wall, D) all associated site works. Planning Permission is sought for A) the completion of the partially constructed industrial shed, B) the replacement of existing cladding on the existing building, C) and all site works necessary to facilitate the development.

  Retention · Laois County Council, 2660254

• 5 May 2026N/a

  install of sustainable energy compounds to host an LPG tank and heat pump modules, and all associated site development works.

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2660256

• 28 Apr 2026N/a

  the change of use of the permitted creche and cycle store to a retail unit; the subdivision and part change of use of the permitted retail unit to a medical centre, retail unit, a refuse store and ESB switchroom; provision of a mezzanine level (c. 139 sq m) above first floor level within the southern extent of the Neighbourhood Centre building to provide additional office floor space; rationalisation of the ground and first floor layouts of the Neighbourhood Centre building and modifications to the footprint of the building, increasing the floor area by c. 57 sq m. The development will result in an overall increase in floor area of the Neighbourhood Centre building by c. 196 sq m, from 1,426 sq m to c. 1,622 sq m. The development also proposes: the provision of 3 No. additional car parking spaces; minor cycle & car parking layout changes; landscaping; boundary treatments; and all other associated site works above and below ground.

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2660242

• 5 Dec 2025N/a

  a) demolish a small section of an existing industrial building b) alter the roof design of an existing industrial building which will involve changing the height, profile and pitch of the roof c) changes to the elevations of the building to accommodate this new roof design d) replacing the existing cladding on the building with new cladding and all associated site works

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2560816

• 27 Nov 2025N/a

  demolish a small section of an existing industrial building b) alter the roof design of an existing industrial building which will involve changing the height, profile and pitch of the roof c) changes to the elevations of the building to accommodate this new roof design and d) replacing the existing cladding on the building with new cladding and all associated site works

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2560790

• 25 Aug 2025Conditional

  to install sustainable energy compounds to host 2 no. LPG tank and 5 no. modular heat pumps, and all associated site development works.

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2560519

• 20 Aug 2025N/a

  install sustainable energy compounds to host 2 no. LPG tank and 5 no. modular heat pumps, and all associated site development works

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2560510

• 8 Aug 2025Conditional

  carry out development which will consist of the installation of a sustainable energy compound to host 6 no. modular heat pumps, and all associated site development works.

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2560477

• 1 Aug 2025N/a

  carry out development which will consist of the installation of sustainable energy compounds to host 2 no. LPG tank and 5 no. modular heat pumps, and all associated site development works

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2560466

• 1 Aug 2025N/a

  carry out development which will consist of the installation of a sustainable energy compound to host 6 no. modular heat pumps, and all associated site development works

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2560467

• 30 Jun 2025Conditional

  construct 92 No. residential dwellings comprising 86 No. 4-bed houses and 6 No. 2-bed sheltered housing units. The proposed development will be 1 No. and 2 No. storeys in height. The development will also include: minor amendments to the Link Road permitted as part of Phases 1A & 1B and its continuation through the Phase 2 site; minor amendments to the landscape and boundary treatment to the south of the Phase 1A site; car parking; cycle parking; public open space; drainage connections; boundary treatments; hard and soft landscaping; pumping station; lighting; and all associated site and development works above and below ground.

  Permission, 92 homes · Laois County Council, 2560385

• 26 Jun 2025N/a

  develop Phase 2 of the wider Sand Wood Development (generally bound by: the Southern Circular Road and Aghnaharna Drive to the north; the Holy Family Schools and Ashewood Walk to the east; and agricultural land to the south and west). Phases 1A & 1B (permitted under LCC Reg. Ref. 23/60350 & 23/60348) are currently under construction and applications for Phases 3 & 4 are submitted alongside this Phase 2 application. The Phase 2 site is generally bound by Phases 1A & 1B to the north and agricultural lands to the east (proposed Phase 3), south and west. The development will principally consist of the provision of 92 No. residential dwellings comprising 86 No. 4-bed houses and 6 No. 2-bed sheltered housing units. The proposed development will be 1 No. and 2 No. storeys in height. The development will also include: minor amendments to the Link Road permitted as part of Phases 1A & 1B and its continuation through the Phase 2 site; minor amendments to the landscape and boundary treatment to the south of the Phase 1A site; car parking; cycle parking; public open space; drainage connections; boundary treatments; hard and soft landscaping; pumping station; lighting; and all associated site and development works above and below ground

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2560377

• 20 May 2025Conditional

  construct two storey and part three storey 1000 pupil secondary school to include general classrooms, specialist classrooms, a general-purpose hall, PE hall, offices, staff room, library, sanitary facilities and ancillary spaces. The development also includes the provision of: • New site entrance from O’Dowling roundabout on the Portlaoise South Orbital Route – R94 - Leading to new car and bus set down/ drop off area with 49 No. carparking spaces and with pedestrian & cycle route to the proposed school. • New site entrance from the adjoining Timahoe / Well Road (R426), access road with cycle and foot paths, bicycle spaces and 92 No. car parking space. • Provision of new footpath on the Timahoe / Well Road (R426), connecting to the existing. • Proposed new Hockey pitch with associated fencing, shelter dugouts and 8 no. flood lighting standards. • 6 no. ball courts, landscaped gardens and external social space. • Provision of a heat pump and gas storage areas, external stores and bin storage area. • Provision for all landscaping, boundary treatments, associated drainage, attenuation and other site services with all related site development and ancillary works. • A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be submitted to the planning authority with the application and the NIS will be available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy during office hours at the office of the relevant planning authority.

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2560303

• 25 Apr 2025Refused

  construct a car wash automated unit, a plant room with a water recycling system and all associated site works

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2560246

• 23 Apr 2025N/a

  carry out development which will consist of the construction of a car wash automated unit, a plant room with a water recycling system and all associated site works

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2560238

• 4 Apr 2025Conditional

  construct a trade/retail warehouse facility and all ancillary site development works. The proposed development also provides for a sheltered outdoor garden centre display area at ground floor level with ancillary storage areas, office and staff welfare areas at ground and mezzanine floor levels. Ancillary site works include the provision of surface car parking and service areas, rooftop PV panels, fascia signage and bicycle parking facilities. Access to the proposed development will be provided via the internal road network of the Lismard Business Park.

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2560181

The 25 most recent of 44 applications.

Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.

Designated sites

• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Ridge of Portlaoise 000876

Recorded monuments

No recorded monument lies in the townland of Downs.

Architectural heritage

No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands in the townland of Downs.

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Buildings: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).

Radon

About 1 in 10 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

Susceptibility low, low (inferred), on the 1:50,000 map.

Terrain model

No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of the townland of Downs.

Flooding

The flood maps of the Office of Public Works: floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency; Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland; both CC BY 4.0. LiDAR: contains Irish Public Sector Data (Geological Survey Ireland & the Office of Public Works) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

No address of the register names Downs with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Laois.

Name

Downs · An Dún

Area

287,731 m² (28.77 ha, 71.1 acres)

Civil parish

Borris, and its townlands

Barony

Maryborough East

Electoral division

Portlaoighise Rural, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Portlaoighise Rural electoral division: 17,352 people in 5,443 households; 64% of households own their home; 52% of homes were built since 2001; 5% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 0% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Beladd, Borris Little, Meelick, Rathleague, Summerhill or Aghnaharna

Placenames

Downs on logainm.ie, the Placenames Database of Ireland

Townlands, civil parishes, baronies and electoral divisions, National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. Census 2022, Small Area Population Statistics by electoral division, Central Statistics Office, CC BY 4.0. A townland is the smallest land division of Ireland, and the unit of a rural address; old registers such as the 1901 and 1911 censuses file it under its civil parish and barony.