Developer to 'review options' after high-rise Tullamore project is refused permission

The developer of a proposed multi-million euro residential and commercial development in the centre of Tullamore is "reviewing options" after Offaly County Council decided to refuse planning permission for the project.

The high-rise project, earmarked for the former Tesco site on Patrick Street, would have risen to 13 stories and included more than 200 apartments.

Twenty commercial premises were also planned, nine of which would have been café or restaurant units.

In refusing planning permission last week, the council said the "excessive scale, height and mass" of the project would have a negative visual impact on Tullamore's skyline.

"As such, the proposed development would seriously injure the historic character and visual amenities of Tullamore," the local authority said.

It also took issue with the "excessive" density of the 204 apartment units put forward for the site in the planning application, which was lodged on behalf of Cayenne Holdings Ltd, a company controlled by local businessman Seamus Kane.

In a statement issued to the Offaly Independent this week, Cayenne Holdings Ltd said it was "somewhat amused and disappointed" by the council's planning decision.

"This is a site identified in Offaly County Council's own adopted Development Plan 2021-2027 as one of only two sites in the county of Offaly which asks for a minimum of six stories," it said.

"(The development plan) asks for a high density, mixed-use scheme to revitalise Tullamore town akin to Athlone - and it is very surprising that these are the actual reasons used by the council to refuse this application.

"We are disappointed. We have invested considerably to suggest what the future Tullamore town centre might look like, and the opportunity that this and the other site can deliver for the Tullamore community, in line with the council's development plan and national policy."

The Cayenne Holdings Ltd statement went on to say that it had been "overwhelmed" and was very thankful for the level of support from businesses and the community for its vision for the town centre of Tullamore.

"This support has come not only from stakeholders we have spoken with but also from the general public who definitely wish for change in our town, and give our town the very reasons we can be like Athlone, Mullingar and Portlaoise, and attract the shops and visitors in time to come."

The statement concluded: "We are currently reviewing our options and considering the council's perspective before deciding the next steps."

The council's decision, dated March 27, gave six reasons for refusing planning permission.

In addition to its concerns about the height and mass of the proposal, and the density of the apartment units, the local authority said details how fire services would access the multi-storey development had not been demonstrated in the application.

The council also felt the development would create a traffic hazard "because of the additional traffic it would generate onto Offaly Street, which has limited road space to facilitate increased two-way traffic and turning movements which would be generated" by it.

The decision also said insufficient off-road parking had been provided for in the proposal, and that the project lacked "utilisation of potential connections, particularly from the site via the existing link to the South East of Patrick Street".

Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen, Tullamore Chamber, and local businesses Guy Clothing and Kode Clothing and Footwear had expressed their support for the development on the basis that it would help reinvigorate the town centre by generating more footfall.

However objections to the planning application, which were largely based around the visual impact of the buildings' height, were lodged on behalf of The Heritage Council and the Irish Georgian Society.