Decision due tomorrow on plans for Midlands Hospice

Offaly County Council is due to make a decision tomorrow (Thursday, May 29) on a planning application by the HSE for a Midlands Hospice on a greenfield site on Arden Lane in Tullamore.

The HSE lodged a planning application for the facility – which will serve the four Midland counties of Offaly, Westmeath, Laois and Longford – on April 4 last.

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.

While 20 beds are to be provided as part of the initial phase of development, the planning documents state there is “capacity for future expansion”. The site is bordered to the east by the Tullamore Pitch and Putt Club.