Decision due on future of Moorhill House in Tullamore

A decision is expected next week in relation to plans for the refurbishment of a protected structure in Tullamore.

The works proposed by Cayenne Holdings on the former Moorhill House on the Clara Road, include the partial rear demolition of the building with proposed refurbishment and rear single and two storey extension to create a three-bedroom house. In the curtilage of the protected structure, 24 one-bedroom units are proposed in a single and three storey block with associated site works.

There had been a strong backlash from residents living along the Clara Road who argued that the planned apartments were out of character with the rest of the residences and would change the ambience of the neighbourhood.

A large number of objections were lodged with Offaly County Council and the application was put on hold for a period of time while further information was sought from the applicant.

The local planning authority, had concerns regarding ''the existing houses on the landholding'' which form part of the ''historical planning permissions and the current proposal could therefore facilitate unauthorised developments on the landholding,'' the council said. 

In addition the local authority sought a separate site layout plan, showing the existing and proposed site boundary treatment, a green infrastructure master plan, a residential efficiency and climate change adaptation design statement, and a revised proposal meeting the construction and demolition waste management plan.

Furthermore it asked for a report from a qualified arborist, providing details of their qualifications and experience, indicating which trees along the front boundary were to be removed due to sight light requirements and which trees were to be retained

One submission to the council said, ''Offaly County Council speak about historical buildings and try to save them, what about Moorhill? The beautiful trees as we all know will go, due to the foundations being laid. This is just awful and sad to see these trees, years old, being cut down for a modern development.''

''Will the council be happy when the town is full of densely populated housing estates and apartment blocks and the knock on effect that this high density building will have in years to come?''

Another said, ''We chose to save, build and buy a once off property and worked hard for same. The Clara road was always known as a tranquil area and this can be observed with the amount of people taking a walk along the road every single day. Our road is becoming very unsafe, due to traffic and the number of motorised scooters using the footpaths.''

''There has been absolutely no consultation from the developers, which to me indicates the total lack of respect that they have for the residents of Clara Road,'' professed one resident.'' This is going to affect all our our lives and this modern building is totally out of character with the site that it is being built on.''

''As Tullamore has a history of 'rising from the ashes like the Phoenix, it would be much more appropriate to concentrate on the restoration of Moorhill to bring it to its former majesty. The proposed development is more in keeping with a streetscape, and if not well maintained to a high standard could very quickly become an eyesore. If this happens it will negatively impact the neighbourhood and negatively impact the first impression of Tullamore for strangers visiting the town for the first time'' one submission stated.

One resident welcomed what they termed the ''culturally sensitive re-development of Moorhill House in a manner synonymous with its former prestige.'' However, they went on, ''to that end we feel that the development of the site with a small number of bungalow style dwellings, perhaps replicating the courtyard area and outbuilding as highlighted on the 1890s OSI (Ordnance Survey Ireland) map, would be at harmony with the existing Georgian building.''

A decision is due on Wednesday June 26 next.