Decision on extensive redevelopment of derelict Offaly hotel delayed for a second time
Offaly County Council is seeking requesting the applicant to place further site and newspaper notices
A decision on the future of the former Moorhill House in Tullamore has been put on hold by Offaly County Council who are seeking the applicant to place a further notice in one of the approved newspapers and to erect a new revised site notice.
The local planning authority said it had examined further information supplied to it by Cayenne Holdings on May 30, 2024 and considered the information received to contain significant additional data, including information in relation to effects on the environment. In light of this they have made this request.
The notice must contain as a heading “Offaly County Council”, and must be marked “Further Information” or “Revised Plans”.
Further consideration of the application has been deferred until the planning authority has received the notices. If notices have not been received by the Planning Authority by the July 22, 2024 Offaly County Council will consider the application to have been withdrawn
The proposed works include the partial rear demolition of the building with refurbishment and rear single and two storey extension to create a three-bedroom house. In the curtilage of the protected structure, 24 one-bedroom units are proposed in a single and three storey block with associated site works.
Moorhill Country House Hotel was once a thriving business owned by Oliver and Jean Toner who put it up for sale in 1999. It was built in the 1870s. The site contains a number of oak trees which are believed to be over 200 years old. One of its most famous guests was the late Mrs Jean Kennedy Smith who served as United StatesAmbassador to Ireland from 1993 to 1998,
There have been strong objections from residents living along the Clara Road to the proposals by Cayenne Holdings. They argue that the planned apartments are out of character with the rest of the residences and would change the ambience of the neighbourhood.
A large number of objections were lodged with Offaly County Council and the application was put on hold for a period of time while further information was sought from the applicant. The further information has caused this latest hold up.