550 homes granted permission in Cork

Permission has been granted for a large scale residential development located to the north of Dunkettle House, near Glanmire.

O’Flynn Construction have been granted permission for 550 homes, part of phase one of a larger project, which aims to see more than 1,000 homes developed at the site.

The 550 homes will include 394 houses - a mixture of two, three and four-bed semi-detached and terraced units - as well as 156 apartment/duplex units, a mixture of one and two bed units in ten blocks ranging in height from two to six storeys.

The proposed scheme has a slightly higher proportion of 2 and 3 bed units than that indicated in the most recent development plan for Cork city, but the applicant explained that a demographic analysis of the area showed that the catchment area is growing older.

They explained: “There is a limited stock of vacant units within the catchment area. Therefore, an additional 550 no. residential units will increase the housing stock and add to the diversity in the housing options in the catchment area.

“The proposed development will provide a cohesive and necessary housing mix to cater for the local population with the proposed 1 and 2 bed units supporting the concept of ageing in place by providing smaller units for people to downsize within their communities.

“They will also cater for individuals and couples seeking to find their own homes as first-time buyers. The proposed 3 and 4 bed units will support people who wish to start a family.” 

The developer explained that additionally “a high percentage of families have adult children living in the household which could be attributed to the lack of housing in the catchment area.” 

The plans also include a creche with capacity for 144 children and three commercial units, with a submission from Cork City Childcare highlighting the need for additional places in the area, as well as a shop, café and GP facility.

Works such as a new vehicular access and new pedestrian access, a pedestrian crossing and upgrades to the road markings are also included in the application, as are footpaths and cycle lanes, and the development will have both bicycle and car parking.

A multitude of assessments were carried out as part of the planning application, including a childcare demand assessment, daylight and sunlight assessment, outdoor lighting report, resource & waste management plan, tree report, road safety audit, school assessment, social infrastructure audit, site flood risk assessment and a traffic a transport assessment.

Cork city council granted permission subject to 63 conditions. The permission comes despite more than 20 objections from locals, who raised concerns about the L2998’s capacity to take more traffic, noted that there was an absence of public transport serving the development’s location and expressed worry about wildlife in the area.