Planning permission granted for more than 300 new homes on lands owned by Cork GAA

Cork County GAA Board has secured planning permission for a strategic housing development (SHD) on the northern fringes of Cork city – a project which it says will provide “much-needed housing on the northside of the city, while using the sale of the site to reduce the debts of Cork GAA”.

The site is located next to the Old Whitechurch Road in Kilbarry and the proposed development includes 319 homes, a crèche and riverside park.

These homes would be made up of 85 semi-detached houses, 118 terraced homes, 53 duplex units and 63 apartments.

The site extends to 14.80 hectares and is, the GAA said, adjacent to public lands in LDA ownership which have scope for further strategic development.

“We welcome this decision by An Bord Pleanála,” CEO of Cork County GAA Board, Kevin O’Donovan, said.

“This parcel of land was bought by Cork County Board in the 1960s and the land has since been zoned for mainly residential use.

“The intention in recent times has always been to use this asset to provide much-needed housing on the northside of the city, while using the sale of the site to reduce the debts of Cork GAA.

“We will now review the decision in detail, with an intention to proceed with the sale at the earliest opportunity.

“The shortage of housing in Cork and across the country is well documented and this development will now provide homes for hundreds of families in the heart of a great GAA community.” 

Approving the proposed development, An Bord Pleanála said it considered that, subject to compliance with the conditions set out, the development “would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity, would be acceptable in terms of urban design, height and quantum of development and would be acceptable in terms of traffic and pedestrian safety and convenience”.

There are 30 conditions attached to the board’s approval of the development.

One condition stipulates that with reference to the “historic dumping of waste construction material on the site”, prior to commencement, the applicant must agree on an “extensive suite of sampling and testing throughout the site with the planning authority, to ensure any pockets of contaminated material are identified and managed appropriately, before construction activities begin”.

Another states that no additional development, other than those shown on the drawings, is permitted to take place above roof level.

Cork County Board said it will now review in detail the decision of An Bord Pleanála, and the various conditions which were attached to the granting of permission.