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18 Nov 2025
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18 Nov 2025
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A decision is expected to be announced on January 1, 2026
The final decision of the planning application for the proposed Midlands Regional Hospice will be determined by Offaly County Councillors.
The construction of the facility has been disputed for a number of years in relation to the chosen location of the planned site at Arden Lane in Tullamore.
An advertisement was recently placed in national media where the planning department of Offaly County Council gave notice that they intended to consider granting planning permission for the project.
A decision on the planning application of the development was expected on November 11 but the latest update indicates that the application constitutes a material contravention of the Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027.
READ MORE: 'Huge achievement' for an Offaly man from a humble background
This material contravention means that the planning application contains information which is contrary to the objectives of the county development plan.
Therefore, the decision cannot be issued by the planning authority and will instead be determined by the Offaly councillors which is deemed as a reserved function so there's no conflict of interest.
The national media advertisement states the development would contravene materially to two objectives of the Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027.
The first objective in question is "to ensure that development progresses in accordance with the land use zoning objectives and the land use matrix".
The other affected objective of the development is in relation to "protect and improve the provision, attractiveness and accessibility and amenity value of public open space, amenity and recreation".
The process also offers an extended four week period for members of the public to make any observations or submissions on the project which would contravene the plan to enable the development to proceed.
The deadline for submissions and observations is set for December 3, once this period passes then the decision on the application can come before the elected members at a subsequent Offaly County Council meeting.
The due date of the decision by Offaly County Council is expected on January, 1 2026.
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