Decision to refuse apartments at Bessborough upheld
In November 2022, MWB Two Ltd sought permission for the 92-unit apartment scheme, which also included proposals for a creche, to be developed in two stepped buildings, ranging in height from five to eight stories.
A decision made by Cork City Council to refuse planning permission for a proposed 92-unit residential development at Bessborough in Blackrock has been upheld by An Bord Pleanála.
In November 2022, MWB Two Ltd sought permission for the apartment scheme, which also included proposals for a creche, to be developed in two stepped buildings, ranging in height from five to eight stories.
Cork City Council refused planning permission for the application in January 2023.
It said that the height, scale, design and relationship of the proposed development to the historic landscape in which it sits, would result in “isolated residential blocks” in a protected landscape and would comprise “haphazard development” which it said would “detract from the character of the area which is designated as an Area of High Landscape Value in the Cork City Development Plan”.
MWB Two Ltd subsequently lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála.
The appeal document submitted on behalf of MWB Two Ltd said that the applicants were “disappointed” by the decision, stating that amendments were made to the initial scheme following pre-planning talks.
Also included in the grounds for the appeal, MWB Two Ltd contended that the proposed development has “full regard to the planning history of the site and the evolving character of development in the area”.
However, An Bord Pleanála has decided to uphold the council’s decision to refuse planning.
In its reasoning, the board cited similar concerns about the design of the scheme, considering that it would “dominate” the historic landscape and “detract” from its character.
The board also said it considers that the “potential exists for the presence of human remains and/or burials at this proposed development site associated with the former use of the lands as a Mother and Baby Home over the period 1922 to 1998” and that it would be “premature” to grant permission for the proposed development “prior to establishing the extent of human remains and/or burials, if any”.
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