Five apartments and shop to be built at former pub site in Cork

Five apartments and a shop are to be built at the site of the former John Jose bar in Ballyhooly, between Fermoy and Mallow, following a ruling by An Bord Pleánala.

The existing two storey building is a small mid-19th century town house over a public house and a landmark building on the corner of the historic streetscape.

Cork County Council had granted permission to Brennan and O’Connor Estates Ltd in January of this year for the change of use from a pub to five apartments, including one 2-bed and four 1-beds as well as a retail unit.

One third party observation was submitted in February, with an appellant saying that parking provision was currently limited on the street and the development would worsen this problem, potentially obstructing traffic, according to an An Bord Pleanála report.

They also said that Ballyhooly is identified in the CDP as a village with no additional water services capacity, yet 39 households were already granted permission, leading the appellant to worry that the additional five units proposed “will overwhelm the wastewater treatment plant which currently has little capacity.” The appeal also covered environmental and health issues and worry that the plan would disrupt bats roosting in the area.

The applicant submitted additional information in response, and explained that the proposed development would have a lower parking requirements and less water requirements than the current use.

Claire McVeigh, ABP planning inspector said: “Given the proposed size of the commercial use, I consider that it would not generate significant parking demand,” agreeing that the parking demand for the proposed development is considered to be less than the existing uses.

She noted, according to Uisce Éireann’s water supply capacity register, ‘capacity constraints exist in Ballyhooly but there is potential capacity available with connection applications being assessed on an individual basis.’

The inspector concluded: “The proposed development would comprise the efficient use of existing building stock and would not seriously injure the residential amenities of property in the vicinity.

“The proposed development would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

The council’s decision to grant permission was upheld, with conditions including that a connection agreement is entered into with Uisce Éireann prior to the commencement of development.