Green light for plans to develop almost 100 homes in West Cork town

A PROPOSED residential development of almost 100 new homes and a crèche at a site in Clonakilty has been green lit by Cork County Council.

Earlier this year Cloncastle Developments Limited lodged a planning application with the local authority seeking permission for the construction of 93 units on a site fronting The Miles Road in Clonakilty, about 1.5km from the centre of the town.

The plans sought the development of 19 two-bed, 67 three-bed and seven four-bed units in a mix of detached, semi-detached and terrace dwellings.

The plans also included the provision of a single-storey crèche as well as developments such as parking and green areas.

A planning report submitted with the application stated that a residential scheme submitted by the same applicants was withdrawn at Further Information stage back in 2020 and said that the 2023 application includes the various items requested at that stage. The applicants submitted a second application in December of 2020, but planning was turned down.

Cork County Council stated at the time that the proposed development “would be premature by reference to the existing deficiency in the provision of water supplies and existing capacity constraints of the Clonakilty Water Supply Zone which the site forms part of and the period within the constraints involved may reasonably be expected to cease”.

The planning report for the 2023 application said that notification had been received from Uisce Éireann that it has appointed a contractor to carry out the works which will see the laying of a new pipeline from Carhue, Bandon to Jones Bridge, Clonakilty to connect the Bandon Water Supply Scheme to Clonakilty.

“If granted, the permission will last five years, during which time, the works will begin and will coincide with the construction works on the subject site allowing for the delivery of the houses alongside the delivery of the water supply,” the planning report stated.

It asserted that the housing development “would contribute to the urban form of the Clonakilty area whilst protecting the residential amenity of adjoining properties and not harming the character or appearance of the area”.

Cork County Council submitted a request for some further information before making a decision, but ultimately decided to grant planning permission, subject to 52 conditions.