Appeal lodged against mixed-use development in Glanmire 

An appeal has been lodged with An Bord Pleanála on a mixed-use development in a town on the outskirts of Cork city.

Cork City Council had granted planning permission for a development which incorporates three commercial units, a café and a significant number of apartments in Glanmire.

The site in question is described as a “brownfield, town centre zoned site” which is situated at Ballinglanna, Riverstown.

The applicant Tom Moynihan had sought to build 42 apartments, comprising 12 one- bed; 24 two-bed; and six three-bedroom apartments. Two levels of basement parking providing 42 parking spaces were also included.

The development includes the provision of a footbridge across the Butlerstown River, as well as the provision of a public plaza.

A significant number of objections were lodged on the development, but it was granted the green light initially subject to 47 conditions.

One of the conditions attached to the permission stated that one floor had to be omitted from each of the two buildings.

However, one third party appeal has now been lodged with An Bord Pleanála.

The objection the individuals previously submitted to Cork City Council on the development suggested that it would be more suited to a docklands or city centre location.

“It certainly is not suitable as a one-off high rise building in a small rural village where it will stick out like the proverbial sore thumb for years to come,” they stated.

They also add that the developer has made “very little effort to secure possible tenants for the commercial units or the café.” 

They also felt that it’s unlikely given the location that chain cafés would take a unit with “no potential for foot fall.” 

“The inclusion of these units in the proposed development seems to me to be just a box-ticking exercise,” they added.

An Bord Pleanála will now review the application and will make a decision on whether it can proceed by December 7.