Mallet Tavern to be converted into a private house

A landmark protected structure in Tullamore which survived the Great Balloon Fire of 1785 and is one of the last thatched buildings in the town is to be converted into a private dwelling house.

In granting planning approval to Anthony Kane for the change of use of the historic Mallet Tavern on Kilbride Street to a dwelling house, Offaly County Council has laid down a number of conditions, including that all works to the protected structure, and within its setting, must be “managed and supervised on an ongoing basis” by a Conservation Architect.

As part of the ten conditions attached to the granting of planning permission to the applicant, Anthony Kane, Offaly County Council has also stipulated that the road network should remain unaffected by the construction works on the Kilbride Street site “at all times.”

In relation to the classification of the Mallet Tavern as a protected structure, Offaly County Council planners have laid down strict conditions, including that all works must be carried out in accordance with Best Conservation Practice and the Department Guidelines for Architectural Heritage Protection.

The planners have also said that the works should retain the “maximum amount of surviving historic fabric in situ” including structural elements, plasterwork and joinery, and that “minimum interference” must be caused to the building structure and/or fabric.

Any items that are removed from the building for repair must be recorded prior to removal, and then catalogued and numbered “to allow for authentic reinstatement” and the council has also stipulated that all existing original features not part of the works must be protected during refurbishment.

According to the planning documents which were lodged with Offaly County Council as part of the planning application, the development site on Kilbride Street is currently under the ownership of Coco Fuels Ltd., with an address at Church Road, Tullamore. Coco Fuels Ltd., consented to the planning application at the site by the applicant, Anthony Kane, whose address is listed as Holmshill, Blueball, Tullamore.

The application, which was lodged at the end of February, was for the demolition of a single storey flat roof rear extension and the partial demolition of a storey and a half annex covered by a slate roof, the construction of a two-storey rear extension to the rear of the building as part of the restoration and alteration of the existing building and all associated site works to complete the development.

The local authority planning department sought further information from the applicant on a number of aspects of the proposed change of use of the Mallet Tavern on April 24 last, which was received on May 15. The council expressed concerns that the two-storey extension would overshadow the rear of adjoining premises and, in particular, the adjoining property to the east of the building “where a significant amount of light will be lost” and requested the applicant to submit revised drawings addressing this issue.

They also expressed concerns that the large aluminium garage door and similarly sized opening with aluminium vertical louvers at the rear of the property would be “detrimental to the amenity of the Grand Canal” and they also stated that the aluminium windows throughout would be “detrimental to the protected structure.” The applicant was requested to provide proposals for “historically accurate” timber sliding sash windows to the front elevation, based on historical evidence.

The planning application attracted one third-party submission by the owner of the adjoining property, Kilbride Cottage, who said the proposed height of the extension to the Mallet Tavern was two and a half times higher than the existing structure and would “greatly reduce the sunlight in the evening” into the garden and sitting room of the cottage.

The submission also pointed out that the proposed open frame pergola would allow views into his garden, yard and sitting room and would “completely take away the privacy the cottage has enjoyed for over 200 years.”

Any appeal against the decision to grant planning permission must be lodged with An Board Pleanála within four weeks of the decision date, which was on June 11, and submissions and observations can also be made within the same timeframe.