Holiday units development proposal turned down by council planners

A bid to provide six self-catering holiday units and a hot tub pavilion on the outskirts of Tullamore has been refused by Offaly County Council.

The applicants, Donal O'Brien and Danielle Dunican, submitted a planning application to council planners on September 12 last seeking permission for the restoration of an existing farmhouse on a site at Muiniagh, Tullamore, including the demolition of the current utility room and pantry at the rear, and the construction of a new contemporary-style dormer bungalow on the east side of the farmhouse.

The plans also included the conversion of an existing disused shed into a home office, WC and storage area for domestic use, and the construction of six new “single-storey holiday let units in a traditional courtyard layout.” Two of the units were proposed to be two bedroom, while the remaining four were to be one-bedroom units.

As part of the holiday let units, the developers sought to construct a new hot tub pavilion-style structure in the centre of the courtyard, which would include “a small sauna and steam room”.

The installation of a new sewerage treatment plant and percolation area to manage waste from the main house, home office and holiday lets also formed part of the plans, along with an upgrade to the existing vehicular entrance to the proposed development, including the addition of a new gravel driveway, new stone piers and new entrance gates.

Council planners refused the project on the grounds that the proposed development is located on lands at Muiniagh which is zoned “Open Space, Amenity and Recreation” in the Offaly County Development Plan. “The proposed development, being both self-catering units and a single residential dwelling is not normally permitted on such lands,” the council's letter of refusal stated.

The council added that the use of land as 'Open Space' would include parks, public woodland, pedestrian routes, greenways, riparian zones, housing estate open spaces and development which is “incidental to the enjoyment of open space” such as playgrounds, village greens and a number of other amenities.

The council ruled that the proposed development was “contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

The planning application attracted nine submissions from residents living in Muiniagh, which is located just off the R420 Tullamore to Clara road. In their submissions residents cited the lack of infrastructure on the cul de sac road, including the absence of footpaths and public lighting in the area. They also cited concerns in relation to noise; the issue of on-site security; the site layout plan and land zoning.