Plans for massive development that could transform centre of Tullamore blocked

Plans for a massive development that could have transformed the centre of Tullamore have been blocked by Offaly County Council.

The local authority has refused planning permission for the development on the old Tesco site in the centre of the town.

According to the council's website, a decision was due on April 2 but the status of the application on line has been updated to refused. At the time of writing, no details were available as to the reasons for the decision to refuse permission.

Cayenne Holdings had sought permission for the development named Distillery Yard which would include about 200 apartments and 45,000 sq feet of retail space. It was to be developed on land between Patrick Street, Kilbride Street and close to William Street.

The mixed use development of residential and commercial, including retail, cafe and restaurants, was planned to be in six blocks from two to 13 storeys.

The plans were for 204 apartments in four buildings, including 102, one-beds, 91 two-beds and 11 three-beds.

The blocks were planned to be five, six, eight, and between 11 and 13 storeys high. A two to three-storey block was proposed to 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, was also included in the development.