Details of Midlands Hospice further information request published
Offaly County Council has sought further information from the HSE on its planning application to construct a Midlands Hospice on a greenfield site at Arden Lane, Tullamore.
The council deferred a decision, which had been due on Thursday, on the planning application, requesting further information on a number of issues.
The proposed development consists of a new hospice catering for 20 inpatient beds on a site at Arden Lane, Tullamore, complete with ancillary services, including a Day Therapy Unit and an education centre. 80 car parking spaces including seven accessibility bays, and 15 bicycle stands also form part of the plans, as does a set down area and one mini-bus parking bay.
The planning documents state that road improvement works are to be carried out on Arden Lane, to include footpath and pedestrian crossings, and redirected access onto R421 Arden Road roundabout via a new connection to the access road.
Planning documents indicate that the development would be assessed via a new priority-controlled T-junction on Arden Lane.
In its letter requesting further information, the council has sought evidence from the HSE of legal authority for the application.
“Only three of the named owners of Folio 1818F have given written consent and there is also no evidence that the Pitch and Putt Club, as owner of Folio 1418F has given its approval or consent,” the letter requesting further information states.
The council has also requested the consent of the relevant landowners of the roadside verge, where the roadside verge is to be used to upgrade Arden Lane.
The council requested the HSE to submit a new proposal tightening the junction connecting the new access road to the L-20032-1 as its current design may lead to speeding, it said.
It also asked the applicant to indicate measures on drawings to ensure there are adequate sightlines and inter-visibility between drivers waiting at the yield line on Arden Lane and westbound drivers on Arden Lane.
A construction stage site management plan has been requested, as have plans to deal with haulage and deliveries to the site.
A report on the impact of lighting within the site on adjoining residences has been sought.
Further details on the proposed drainage design are required, including details of the surface water drainage system from entry to disposal.
The council has requested the HSE to address a number of issues that it considers relevant to the size, design and layout of the building which were raised at pre-planning meetings. These included queries relating to non-inclusion of hoists into patient ensuite bathrooms; how OT and Physio equipment storage space was calculated; mortuary/cold room; numbers of clinical staff attending and the space requirements to accommodate same; and possibility of a children’s playroom.
Finally, the council pointed out that there were a number of third-party submissions on file in relation to the application and invited the applicant to address these.
The HSE has up to six months to respond to the request.