Fierce opposition to protected structure refurbishment and 24 apartments in Tullamore

PLANS to refurbish a protected structure in Tullamore and to construct a three storey block of apartments in the curtilage of the same structure is being met with fierce opposition in one area of Tullamore.

The proposal by Cayenne Holdings would see the partial rear demolition of the former Moorhill House on the Clara Road to make way for a three bedroom house. The proposed apartments will consist of 24 one-bedroom units in a single and three storey block. The site also contains a number of chalets which were originally built as holiday homes.

There has been a strong backlash from residents living along the Clara Road who argue that the planned apartments are out of character with the rest of the residences and will change the ambience of the neighbourhood.

A large number of objections have been lodged with Offaly County Council. One submission said, ''Offaly County Council speak about historical buildings and try to save them, what about Moorhill? The beautiful trees as we all know will go, due to the foundations being laid. This is just awful and sad to see these trees, years old, being cut down for a modern development.''

''Will the council be happy when the town is full of densely populated housing estates and apartment blocks and the knock on effect that this high density building will have in years to come?''

Another said, ''We chose to save, build and buy a once off property and worked hard for same. The Clara road was always known as a tranquil area and this can be observed with the amount of people taking a walk along the road every single day. Our road is becoming very unsafe, due to traffic and the number of motorised scooters using the footpaths.''

''There has been absolutely no consultation from the developers, which to me indicates the total lack of respect that they have for the residents of Clara Road,'' professed one resident.'' This is going to affect all our our lives and this modern building is totally out of character with the site that it is being built on.''

One submission said, ''As Tullamore has a history of 'rising from the ashes like the Phoenix, it would be much more appropriate to concentrate on the restoration of Moorhill to bring it to its former majesty. The proposed development is more in keeping with a streetscape, and if not well maintained to a high standard could very quickly become an eyesore. If this happens it will negatively impact the neighbourhood and negatively impact the first impression of Tullamore for strangers visiting the town for the first time.''

One resident welcomed what they termed the ''culturally sensitive re-development of Moorhill House in a manner synonymous with its former prestige.'' However, they went on, ''to that end we feel that the development of the site with a small number of bungalow style dwellings, perhaps replicating the courtyard area and outbuilding as highlighted on the 1890s OSI (Ordnance Survey Ireland) map, would be at harmony with the existing Georgian building.''

Another said that ''the planning and design statement ignores the presence of the chalet holiday homes.

Meanwhile, Offaly County Council has placed the application 'on hold' while it seeks further information from the developer.

The local planning authority, says it ''has concerns regarding the existing houses on the landholding'' which form part of the ''historical planning permissions and the current proposal could therefore facilitate unauthorised developments on the landholding.''

It noted that these houses were granted as holiday cottages and the houses no longer appear to be in use for such purposes. The council also observed that no car parking for such units is evident in the proposed site layout plan and the applicant is requested to clarify if the lack of car parking for the existing houses is contrary to the requirements of the historic planning permissions on this site.

In addition it says that the proposal could result in the intensification of an existing dangerous entrance if the applicant does not have land ownership consent to amend the entrance.

Furthermore the local authority points out that the application provides ''no usable public open space for the existing dwelling houses on the landholding'' and the applicant is requested to address this issue.

The proposal involves the creation of 24 apartments and a 3 bed house in addition to the existing nine houses which forms part of the historic landholding of this site. In terms of the Development Management Standard the current County Development Plan, fifty car parking spaces are required, the local authority states.

In addition the council is seeking a separate site layout plan, showing the existing and proposed site boundary treatment, a green infrastructure master plan, a residential efficiency and climate change adaptation design statement, and a revised proposal meeting the construction and demolition waste management plan.

In addition it is asking for a report from a qualified arborist, providing details of their qualifications and experience, indicating which trees along the front boundary are to be removed due to sight light requirements and which trees are to be retained

Furthermore a separate schedule for each separate apartment unit is required.

Finally the local authority specifies that Moorhill House is a protected structure and stresses that the applicant should pay special regard and provide sufficient information in relation to retention, repair, restoration and replacement of any area of the building.

It remarks that a brief Architectural Heritage Impact Assessment has been provided by the developer containing what it says is ''a few external photographs and one page of internal photographs.'' It continues, ''the document does not appear to consider the existing rear extension may have formed part of the original house.''

No date has been given for a decision on the application as it remains 'on hold.'