Major new housing development launched near Carlow town

The growth on Carlow's doorstep is set to continue with the launch of a major new housing development near Graiguecullen.

Whitehorse Developments Ltd which trades as Capital Homes Limited has lodged plans with Laois County Council to build phase I of an overall residential development of 136 dwellings plus Creche / work Hub.

The project is earmarked for a site in Crosneen on the Leighlin Road located across the River Barrow from the South East Technological University in Carlow town.

The builders say the first phase will consist of 87 dwellings to include the following.

• 22 three bedroom two storey semi-detached dwellings,
• 22 four bedroom two storey semi-detached dwellings,
• 8 four bedroom two storey semi-detached dwellings,
• 2 blocks containing two two-bedroom two storey townhouses plus two two-bedroom own door access apartments,
• 2 four bedroom two storey semi-detached dwellings,
• 1 block containing four two-bedroom two storey townhouses plus 4 No. two bedroom own door access apartments,
• 12 three bedroom two storey town houses,
• A creche / work Hub with one one-bedroom apartment and fur two-bedroom apartments at first floor level.

Plans submitted to planners in County Hall Portlaoise have further development pencilled in in the site which is parrallel to the Leighlin Road. There new development will be accessed from a new site entrance from Leighlin Road. 

The builders behind the project have a registered address in Tullamore.

Graiguecullen is one of the fastest growing towns in Laois, situated right on the Carlow border.

Taking advantage of the proximity to Carlow town, significant and rapid growth took place during the Celtic Tiger era and further development is provided for.

The 2022 Census showed that the Laois side of Graiguecullen grew to 5,323  from 4,692 in the 2016 Census. A further 1,665 people live in a part of Graiguecullen that is managed by Carlow County Council.

Graigue is designated as a ‘Service Town’ within both the Laois County Development Plan 2017 – 2023 and the Regional Planning Guidelines for the Midland Region 2010 – 2022.

The link to Carlow is acknowledged by Laois County Council which says the town provides an important retail, residential, service and amenity function for the local hinterland and support for the Principal Town of Carlow. Graiguecullen is located in the extreme south eastern tip of the County and is heavily linked and connected to Carlow and the adjacent South east region for the majority of its services.

The council says Graiguecullen is provided with zonings for the provision of additional residential, commercial, enterprise and employment, industrial, community, educational, institutional and other sustainable development in the future. The Laois County Development Plan 2018 – 2023 zones. A total of 19 hectares of land are designated for housing in the town.