WORK will begin on a new 608-home project at Glanmire this summer, developer Michael O’Flynn has confirmed.

An Bord Pleanála, under new strategic housing development (SHD) guidelines designed to fast-track new homes and student apartments to tackle the housing crisis, granted permission yesterday for the homes at Ballinglanna, Glanmire.

The scheme is one of the first given the go-ahead under the new SHD guidelines, which aim to streamline the planning process. 

The process allows developers building over 100 homes, or 200 student beds, to seek planning permission directly from the planning appeals board, after extensive pre-planning consultations.

Michael O’Flynn, managing director of O’Flynn Construction, said work would start on the project by June or early July.

“It is particularly welcome that the board has given an early grant of permission for Ba and without any significant changes to the scheme,” he said.

The project will include a wide range of house and apartment types, with two-bed townhouses likely to be priced in the mid-€200,000s.

Tim Lucey, chief executive of Cork City Council, welcomed the development which will include 110 “reduced cost” homes.