Prominent Tullamore Company withdraws Midlands Regional Hospice appeal
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The appeal was withdrawn after Condron Concrete and the HSE came to an agreement in relation to the facility
A Tullamore company has withdrawn its appeal against the long-awaited Midlands Hospice at Arden Lane in Tullamore.
The planning objection was issued by the owner of Condron Concrete, John Condron to An Coimisiún Pleanála back in January.
The appeal was originally submitted after Offaly County Council passed a motion for a material contravention of the Offaly County Development Plan during their December monthly meeting.
All 19 councillors unanimously voted for permission to be granted therefore giving their backing to the building of the 20 bed palliative care facility on a site on Arden Lane.
Condron Concrete’s appeal was on the grounds that there was a lack of boundary separation between their business and the proposed hospice.
An Coimisiún Pleanála was due to give its verdict on the appeal by Tuesday, June 2 following months of deliberation.
However, Mr. Condron withdrew his appeal before the planning body's decision due to an agreement reached with the HSE regarding the facility's issues.
In January, Mr. Condron stated that the HSE must engage with his company to establish a proper perimeter around the site that won't affect or add to the distress of families with sick loved ones.
In response, the HSE submitted plans to Offaly County Council on May 7 for the erection of a three metre tall sound barrier around the western and northern boundaries of the palliative care unit.
The documentation submitted as part of the planning permission process included a cover letter from Coady Architects, based in Dublin on behalf of the HSE, detailing the proposed development.
They outlined: “The proposed works are intended to enhance the site setting on the western and northern boundaries, with the proposed 3m high aluminium acoustic wall offset within the site boundary to allow for the retention of the existing hedgerows.”
Coady Architects added: “It is proposed to install a new hedgerow on the site side of the boundary wall also to provide a visual screening of the acoustic barrier.”
Offaly County Council responded to the letter, stating that the application's validity is subject to the site notice complying with planning regulations.
They also conveyed that an inspection of the site may be carried out within five weeks of receiving the application. If the site notice does not comply, the application will be declared invalid and returned.
In addition, Tullamore Lions Club confirmed that they are the legal owner of the lands at Arden Lane and granted consent to the HSE to include this land in the aforementioned planning application.
Condron Concrete also submitted an observation outlining their support for the structure's erection within the planning application.
The document stated: “The proposed structure, along with proposed hospice landscaping inclusive of a water feature, are intended to appropriately protect the amenity of the future occupants, employees and visitors to the proposed hospice, and is fully supported by Condron Concrete.”.
The planning application is currently at the pre-validation stage while consultation on the proposed works takes place.
Any submissions or observations on the proposed erection of the sound barrier must be submitted by June 10, and the final decision on the planning application is due on July 1.