Plans are in the pipeline for another large residential development on Cork’s northside.

A pre-application consultation is currently underway between An Bord Pleanála and Eichsfeld Limited for a development in Blackpool.

The proposals in their current form could see 229 build-to-rent apartments constructed at the Former Hewitt's Mills site, on the North City Link Road, under the fast-tracked Strategic Housing Development (SHD) process.

Initial plans were lodged on August 21, but were deemed invalid. A subsequent application was lodged ten days later.

A pre-application consultation such as this latest one in Blackpool is a mandatory step developers must take prior to making an official application for a SHD to An Bord Pleanala.

An Bord Pleanala validates the application to ensure it satisfies the requirements for a SHD.

Cork City Council’s planning department will then be notified and asked to submit their opinion on the application.

A pre-application consultation meeting is held between the developer, planning authority and An Bord Pleanala, following which the planning appeals board makes their ruling.

If given the go-ahead, developers can then submit a formal application.

An Bord Pleanála are due to rule on whether this particular application can proceed in its current form, or whether some further considerations or alterations are needed for the application to successfully move forward to the full SHD application phase by November 2.

The Government’s SHD scheme allows developers to bypass local authority planning departments and apply directly to the planning appeals board for developments of more than 100 units in order to fast-track delivery.

This is one of three potential developments at pre-application stage in Cork currently. Both of the others are located in the Bishopstown area.

Proposals are on the table from Ardstone Homes Ltd for 276 units - 137 houses and 139 apartments - at Ardarostig.

Meanwhile, at Wilton Road, Victoria Cross, proposals are at pre-application consultation for the construction of 265 student bed spaces by Bellmount Developments Limited.