Midleton's Ballinacurra development refused planning

PERMISSION has been refused by An Bord Pleanála for a large-scale housing development of almost 180 houses in Midleton.

Dublin-based property developers Glenveagh Homes Ltd had submitted an application for 176 units on a five-hectare site at Maple Woods, Ballinacurra.

The submission was submitted directly to the national planning authority under the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) scheme, which allows developers to bypass local authorities for housing developments of more than 100 units.

The plan included 120 houses - 77 semi-detached, 38 terraced and five detached – and two apartment blocks with 56 two-bedroom and one-bedroom apartments.

An Bord Pleanála Inspector Stephen Rhys Thomas said the lack of sewerage facilities renders the development “premature” and not be in line with proper and sustainable development.

“There is a lack wastewater treatment capacity at Midleton wastewater treatment plant,” he stated. “There is a lack of certainty around the delivery of a pump station and rising main to divert wastewater from Midleton to Carrigtohill Wastewater Treatment Plant and reduce the loading at Midleton.

“Having regard to the existing deficiency in the provision of adequate sewerage treatment infrastructure serving the subject site, it is considered that the proposed development would be premature by reference to the existing deficiencies in the provision of sewerage treatment facilities and the period within which this constraint may reasonably be expected to cease and would be prejudicial to public health.”

In design briefs drawn up by Cunanne Stratton Reynolds, it is stated that the development would provide a “high-quality housing” development in close proximity to Midleton Town Centre.