Cork City Council approval for turnkey housing scheme

A turnkey housing scheme which proposes to deliver nine units to Cork City Council has been green lit by the local authority.

In February, Boxline Developments Limited submitted a planning application seeking permission for the construction of the new homes — a mix of houses and apartments — at the former rear gardens of numbers 19 and 20 Dunlocha Cottages and the former side garden of number 20 Dunlocha Cottages in Blackrock.

The nine units, the application said, would be made up of four one-bed apartments, two two-bed apartments, and three two-bed houses with a maximum building height of two storeys.

The application also sought permission for some ancillary works such as the provision of parking and communal open amenity space.

A design statement submitted with the application said Boxline Developments had submitted the proposed development to Cork City Council’s Turnkey Homes Scheme.

“Subject to planning permission and other agreements, Cork City Council deemed the proposed development to be suitable upon completion, for the use and benefit of Cork City Council in the discharge of its housing functions.

“The demand for accommodation in sample areas around the city is outlined in the background information of the Turnkey Homes document. It is noted that 2,465 applicants cited Blackrock as an area of housing preference and of those approved on the housing waiting list, 81% require one or two bedroom units,” it said.

“This infill site offers the opportunity to deliver much needed homes in an established and desirable neighbourhood, utilising existing infrastructures and visually enhancing the generous existing open green space within the immediate site context,” the design statement continued.

The statement said that the proposed housing development was designed to ensure the homes would be “suitable to all occupiers regardless of their age, size or ability”.

“All the homes are easy to approach, enter and move about in with clear views to the communal amenity space.

“There is a mix of unit sizes and house types to facilitate a diverse mix of residents within the community,” it said.

It further contended that the scheme would deliver “energy efficient, low maintenance homes in a well serviced and attractive community for occupiers of all needs”.

Cork City Council requested some further information before ultimately deciding to sanction the proposed development.

There are 26 conditions attached to the local authority’s approval of the scheme, including one which stipulates that the total car parking must not exceed the proposed seven spaces.