Long vacant Offaly factory site being cleared for new houses

A LONG vacant factory in Tullamore is being demolished as work begins on the first phase of a 150-unit residential development in the town.

The former Glenwood factory on the Tinnycross Road, which has been empty since manufacturing relocated to the Axis Business Park, is being taken down to make way for the new scheme.

Initially 89 houses will be built on the site this year.

Fitzpatrick & Heavey Homes acquired the residential landbank with planning permission at Ardan and Puttaghaun between the Midland Regional Hospital and the proposed Wellwood hospital.

The land was previously owned by John Flanagan Developments Ltd, the local company behind the plan for a private hospital and health campus in the same area close to the Tullamore bypass.

The site is just off Tyrrell's/Tinnycross Road and a notice erected at its entrance last month said construction of the entire project should be completed within 52 weeks.

A commencement notice dated December 31 last indicated that 89 houses will be built in the first year of the project.

Fitzpatrick & Heavey said late last year they expect the first finished homes to be delivered by this summer.

Ciarán Fitzpatrick, CEO of Fitzpatrick & Heavey Homes said: “We’re thrilled to be leading this transformative housing project for Tullamore,” said Mr Fitzpatrick. “These 150 A-rated homes will meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability, offering much-needed housing in proximity to the Midlands Regional Hospital. This is a critical project and will deliver a thriving, well-planned community in the Midlands.”

Last November Fitzpatrick & Heavey wrote to Offaly County Council asking it to consider the following names for the project – Charlesbury Manor (park or close), Thornsburgh Manor, Montfort Manor, Wellwood Manor or Callary Manor.

Fitzpatrick & Heavey told the council they had examined records on offalyhistory.com but the council replied seeking more information on the logic behind each suggested name.

On January 29 last Fitzpatrick & Heavey wrote to the council suggesting the name Hazel Wood for the development.

Also, acting on a suggestion from the council's planning department that a name make reference to Michael Scott, the architect who designed the general hospital in Tullamore in 1937, the developers put forward Scott's Wood and Scott's Manor as options.

An Bord Pleanala gave the go-ahead for the development of residential units in January last year, including some 90 houses, 20 apartments and 38 'age friendly assisted living units'.

The green light was given after some neighbouring residents expressed concern about a plan for a four-storey apartment block.