Public views sought on latest Midlands Hospice plans

A two-week period has opened for public observations and submissions on significant further information provided by the HSE on its plans to establish a new hospice for the Midlands on a greenfield site on Arden Lane in Tullamore.

The HSE published a planning notice on Tuesday last, publicising the significant further information. The planning notice and confirmation of a new site notice was received by Offaly County Council on Wednesday, commencing a two-week consultation period.

The move came after the council on May 29 sought further information on the plan, and then on foot of information received, issued a request on October 6 for clarification of that further information. The clarification request focused on three issues: namely a new site layout plan, legal ownership of two land folios, and Electric Vehicle parking spaces,

A response to the clarification request was received on October 10, and the council deemed it to contain significant additional data and instructed the HSE to publish a new newspaper notice and site notice to this effect.

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.