Appeal lodged against new funeral home in Tullamore

PLANS for a new funeral home in the heart of Tullamore has hit a roadblock, after an appeal was lodged with An Bord Pleanala against Offaly County Council's decision to grant permission for the development.

The proposal, given the green light on June 26, involves converting an existing commercial unit on Main Street into a funeral parlour. The application was submitted by PJ Lambe, David Lambe and Edel Kenny, and also includes minor alterations to the entrance, along with all associated site works.

However, an appeal has now been lodged by David Gibb who has raised issues about the suitability of the location and the impact it could have on local traffic pedestrians and nearby businesses.

Mr Gibb stresses that there is no available parking on the street as residents have been given free, unconditional parking.

He contends that ''the space in front of the intended location has residents' cars parked for days at a time. How do the applicants propose to get unobstructed access to the location? When a person is reposed, what is the management plan for pedestrians for when the footpath is blocked and the businesses in close proximity are negatively affected?'' he asks.

Mr Gibb also asks what proposal is in place for traffic management. ''Main street is a busy thoroughfare. Where do the people paying respect park? Dunnes Stores car park? In principle, this would work, but how is this enforced? How is it managed? The pavement is also very narrow at that point. How do the applicants propose to deal with the people queueing to pay their respects?Again, without impacting the local businesses,'' he states.

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''Given that the workable points are unenforceable, I have to object strongly based on the lack of any proposals on how to deal with pedestrians, increased traffic congestion (loading and unloading) and parking. Also, the safety of pedestrians and road users alike must be taken into consideration.''

The case now rests with An Bord Pleanala.