Businesses back Tullamore high-rise plan but Georgian Society opposes it

BUSINESS interests in Tullamore have formally signalled their support for the project proposed for the former Tesco site but the Irish Georgian Society has come out against it.

Anthony Hanniffy, Tullamore Chamber president, wrote to Offaly County Council urging it to grant permission for the application lodged by local developer Seamus Kane, which includes a 13-storey tower.

Mr Hanniffy said the site had been derelict for a long number of years and the proposed mixed use development is “a major opportunity which should entice footfall back into our town which will benefit all retailers”.

Tullamore retailers, Anthony and Kara Kearns, who operate GUY Clothing and KODE Clothing & Footwear, also strongly backed the plan, describing it as an “exciting and adventurous” opportunity for the town.

“We also welcome the mixed nature of the development with a large number of new town centre apartment dwellings coupled with the food and beverage element of the development to bring life and vibrancy to the town centre out of normal 9 to 5 hours,” they said.

They added that they see the project “as the catalyst for the resurgence and further growth” of Tullamore.

However, in a move which followed an earlier submission of concern from the Heritage Council, the Irish Georgian Society called on the council to refuse permission.

In a letter to the council planners, Donough Cahill, executive director of the society, recalled that Tullamore emerged as a prosperous town during the 18th century with development spurred on by the arrival of the Royal Canal in 1798-1804.

“Its town plan follows a regular grid pattern with O’Connor Square and Market Square providing significant civic spaces, and the harbour area being of significant industrial heritage interest. The town retains its historic street pattern with most buildings standing two to three storeys in height while the tower and spire of the Church of the Assumption comprises the most significant structure on the skyline. The Irish Georgian Society is of the view that the proposal to construct a 13-storey building within this historic built environment would have a significant adverse impact on its urban character and scale,” Mr Cahill wrote.

He referred to the “dramatic impact” on the view along “18th century Harbour Street” and said the 13-storey building would “compete” with the tower and spire of the Church of the Assumption when the town is approached from the east.

He argued that the high-rise tower would be “entirely inconsistent” with Tullamore's historic urban character and overall the plan would not comply with the heritage related policies and objectives of the Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027.

The development, which will be known as Distillery Yard, will have over 200 apartments, public squares, shops and restaurants in six blocks from two to 13 storeys.

A two to three-storey block will be partly contained within the former De Bruns public house, with a change of use to two cafes or licensed restaurants.

DE Williams House, which is a protected structure, will have five cafes/restaurants to its rear.

Access for traffic will be both from O'Connell Street (which is off Kilbride Street), as well as Offaly Street and William Street.

Seamus Kane heads up Cayenne Holdings, the company behind the ambitious plan and he said its aim is to ensure that Tullamore will bustle with life once more.