Green light given for 122-space Cork creche

Cork City Council has granted permission for the construction of a 122-space creche at a site located off Maglin Rd, Ballincollig, with a local councillor saying the facility is “urgently required”.

The proposed development will be two stories and includes an outdoor play area, drop-off parking spaces, and additional car and bicycle parking.

Vehicular access to the proposed development will be provided via two new junctions, a main access and an entrance to the set-down area, off the existing estate road serving the Cois Caislean residential development.

In a letter supporting the development, a Cork City Childcare spokesperson said they had carried out a needs assessment, “and identified a severe lack of childcare in the area”, with all 14 early years services being at full capacity.

The spokesperson said: 

“There is extremely limited availability in the services in the surrounding area and a high demand for childcare."

Sinn Féin councillor for the South West ward, Joe Lynch, welcomed the planning approval.

He commented: “The decision by Cork City Council to grant planning permission for a large-scale childcare facility — providing 120 additional places in Ballincollig — is very welcome, as these places are urgently required.

“The sooner they are delivered, the better.

“On an almost daily basis, I meet with parents who are at the end of their tether trying to secure childcare places for their children.

“This new development will go some way to addressing the huge demand that exists for places.”