Council requests further information on plans for large-scale residential development in Ballincollig

PLANS for a large-scale residential development in Ballincollig have been put on pause as Cork City Council has deemed that further information is required before a decision can be made.

Coleman New Homes (Blarney) Limited lodged the application in November with the local authority seeking permission for the construction of 162 residential units at a site off Maglin Rd.

The proposed development would consist of 84 two-storey dwellings, including 26 four-bedroom semi-detached dwellings, 28 three-bedroom semi-detached homes, 20 three-bedroom terraced dwellings, and 10 two-bedroom terraced homes. It would also contain 56 duplex units provided in six two- to three-storey buildings. These would comprise 23 two-bedroom units and 33 one-bedroom units.

Another four- to five-storey apartment building would contain 22 apartments, including 17 two-bed units and five one-bed units.

The application said that access would be principally via the existing access road and entrance serving Cois Caisleán from Maglin Rd, with additional connectivity via Maglin Grove.

The proposed development would also provide for the continuation of the permitted pedestrian and cycle path in Cois Caisleán along the northern, western and southern perimeter of the site and two new pedestrian access points located on the northern and western boundaries.

Site development works would include the regrading and integration of public open space serving Maglin Green, previously permitted by Cork County Council, with a pedestrian link.

The proposed development also makes provision for cycle storage facilities, surface car parking, public lighting and other ancillary works.

Planning report

A planning report submitted with the application stated that the proposed development represents the second phase of a masterplan for lands owned by the applicants.

The applicants are currently constructing the first phase of this residential development known as ‘Cois Caisleán’, which consists of 113 no residential units and a 40-50 space childcare facility and was a Strategic Housing Development (SHD) permitted by An Bord Pleanála, the report says.

The planning report asserts that the proposed development represents a “natural extension” of the adjacent Cois Caisleán development and the Maglin Green, both of which have been either recently completed or are under construction by the applicants.

Over a dozen submissions and objections relating to the application have been lodged with the city council.

A number of submissions state concerns regarding the “vehicular connectivity” provided via Maglin Grove, asserting that this would “undermine the character of Maglin estate and significantly alter traffic patterns on the road”.

Another submission said objected to “any usurping /integration of any existing open spaces in Maglin Green or any other area of the estate into the new development”.

Further information

Cork City Council has now submitted a request for further information (RFI) seeking a number of ecological surveys to fully assess any ecological impact the development may have. Also among the points raised in the RFI is a number of technical design details the applicants must address.

Additionally, Cork City Council has sought clarity about the proposed access arrangements.

“Third party submissions received by the planning authority raise road safety concerns in relation to vehicular access onto Maglin Grove,” the council stated.

“It is unclear from information submitted whether these are to be pedestrian/cycle only, or also vehicular.” The applicants have six months to submit the requested detail.