The site is located on the Clonminch Road and within the environs of Tullamore Town. It extends to 1.88 acres and was acquired from Offaly Co Council in 2019. Part 8 planning permission was obtained. The main area of the site is set back from the road edge but accessible for pedestrian and vehicular use from the Clonminch Road, R432. The site has good transport links in proximity to the N52 northbound and N80 southbound. An existing bus service, operated by Slievebloom Coaches (Townlink), operates seven times a day in both directions past the site. (Agreement has been reached by Oaklee Housing with Slievebloom Coaches to service the subject site as part of their existing bus service).
It was intended that this development would significantly contribute to addressing the shortfall of purpose-built elderly housing accommodation available in the locality, with a density which is appropriate to the context and density of the surrounding area, whilst considering the protection of residential amenities of neighbouring dwellings.
Oaklee Housing has created a well-designed, safe and pleasant living environment which meets the needs of the residents and fosters the development of this new community. The layout creates a central focal point green space at the heart of the scheme, with a one-way road around which facilitates front door parking and drop-off for each dwelling. This green space is a focal point for community interaction and will benefit from its central location and southerly orientation.
The design of the houses with living accommodations to the front, will encourage passive observation of the central green space and promote neighbourly interaction. Furthermore, the semi-private open space to the front of each dwelling is designed as a buffer between the public footpath and the dwelling, to encourage interaction with immediate neighbours.
The space is landscaped with suitable paving & footpaths, raised beds, seating and soft planting, finished to reflect the requirements of an elderly community.
The scheme consists of:
- 10 No. 2 Bedroom, Single Storey, elderly houses
- 04 No. 2 Bedroom, Single Storey, wheelchair liveable elderly houses
- 05 No. 1 Bedroom, Single Storey, elderly houses each with private rear gardens.
There is good diversity in the number of house types and the manner in which they are dispersed throughout the development. Being all single-storey dwellings, both semi-detached and detached, we have achieved a density of 25/hectare which is appropriate to the area and avoids both overlooking and over-shadowing of neighbouring homes
All houses within this development are A3 rated and compliant with NZEB targets through a “fabric first” approach and the provision of a gas boiler & photovoltaic panel system. They are built to higher than minimum building regulation standards and have been designed to maximise solar gain.
