Further delay to decision on Midlands Hospice
A decision on the planning bid for a proposed new regional hospice, in Tullamore, has been delayed as Offaly County Council has this week sought clarity from the HSE on three issues relating to the project.
The council was due to make a decision on whether to grant planning permission for the hospice by today (October 10), but on Monday it wrote to the HSE seeking clarity on three issues mentioned in the HSE's extensive submission in response to a previous request for further information.
The three issues relate to a new site layout plan, legal ownership of two land folios, and Electric Vehicle parking spaces.
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.
Some 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.
On Monday, the HSE requested the HSE to submit a revised site layout plan and associated particulars to clearly demonstrate that all development works sought as part of the application are within the applicant's ownership and/or have the relevant necessary consents.
The council asked the HSE to demonstrate that Article 22(2)(g) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, has been complied with. This section of the regulations deals with the requirement for the applicant to have a legal interest in the land, or the owner's consent, for a planning application.
Offaly County Council also asked the HSE to address an issue relating to EV car parking spaces. It outlines that the Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 requires that a minimum of 10% of car parking spaces should be provided with electrical connection points, to allow for functional electric vehicle charging. The applicant’s submission provides 80 car parking spaces, but only five EV spaces have been provided in the initial plans.
The four weeks for the council to make a decision on the application will begin once on the council considers that the Further Information request has been fully complied with.