Big step forward as Midlands Hospice to serve Laois gets green light from Council

A big step in the process of building a hospice to serve Laois and other midland counties has been taken in Offaly.

Councillors in Offaly have removed a planning obstacle to the project in Tullamore by voting in favour of a material contravention of the Offaly County Development Plan on Monday, December 15.

The local politicians backed a motion that land be rezoned to allow the Midlands Specialist Palliative Care Unit to be built at a site on Arden Lane.

At least 75% of the councillors needed to vote in favour, but all 19 council members unanimously voted for the change, which clears the way for a 20-bed palliative care facility on the greenfield site. The Hospice will also have ancillary services, including a Day Therapy Unit and an education centre.

The project's location has been the subject of much debate over recent months, with some campaigners advocating for the development to be located at the Wellwood Health Campus in Tullamore, with the HSE selecting the Arden Lane site.

Cathaoirleach Cllr John Leahy welcomed the outcome of the vote, pointing out that democracy had spoken. He hoped this meant the issue had been put to bed once and for all and nothing now would prevent the building of this very important facility for the people of the Midlands.

A suitability matrix score was conducted by the HSE in December 2023 to determine which site was a better fit between Arden Lane and Wellwood Health Park. Arden Lane had a suitability score of 84.7, bettering Wellwood's 81.

However, in October 2025, Offaly Hospice Foundation submitted a new objection to the planning application of the Midlands Regional Hospice. In its objection, Offaly Hospice Foundation suggested that a revised planning application would be the best way forward in the interests of the public and the process itself.

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The Foundation said Arden Lane is not the only possible site for the hospice and there are available areas in Wellwood as well as on the grounds of the Midlands Regional Hospital. The Foundation said that in contrast to Arden Lane, "both sites are not encumbered by planning issues of zoning, access or services and are still available".

The Arden Lane site has the backing of Laois Hospice. 

The Midlands is the only region where people do not have access to inpatient, dedicated palliative care in a purpose built hospice.