More than 50 social housing units approved for Cork city suburb

Over 50 social housing units in Donnybrook have been approved by Cork City Council members after a long design process.

The proposed development comprises the construction of 54 units and is located in Scairt Cross, Douglas.

It will be made up of five three-bed and three two-bed houses as well as two three-storey apartment blocks containing 24 two-bed and 22 one-bed units.

There will be 44 car parking spaces and 94 bicycle parking spaces.

The development will be managed by an approved housing body on Cork City Council’s behalf.

The site was the subject of a Part 8 planning application in 2022, which was withdrawn by the council following engagement with local elected members and stakeholders.

Substantial changes were subsequently made to the design. The changes made include a reduction of six units, the reduction in height of the apartment blocks, which were originally planned to be as tall as five storeys, and three of the houses changing from two-storey to single storey.

A total of 78 submissions were received. Concern was expressed about the 44 parking spaces for the 54 units potentially leading to cars being parked on the road and adjacent estates, as well as the effect the development would have on already heavy traffic.

Some submissions also stated that the 207 bus, which serves the area, was not reliable enough.

Other concerns expressed in several submissions were that the proposed development was too dense and tall for the area which consists of mainly bungalows and two-storey houses and that there was an inadequate number of shops, doctors, schools, and childcare facilities for the people in the area already.

The development was subject to a debate at Monday’s council meeting, with several councillors for the area identifying issues with the development.

Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy said that he appreciates the work done by the housing directorate and the partners on this project, but added: “There have been many comments by local residents concerning traffic, lack of public transport options, height, density, architecture, issues around place-making.

“There have been significant amendments, which I am glad for, especially taking down in height the tower element at the front of the building. But for all the amendments, for me it still boils down to a development that just doesn’t fit in the area.”

He said that he welcomed the overall development of new houses but called it a “housing at all costs” planning model, adding that he would be voting no “on the grounds of unsustainable planning”.

Concerns were also mentioned by other councillors in the area including Fianna Fáil’s Mary Rose Desmond and Terry Shannon, Fine Gael’s Shane O’Callaghan and Des Cahill, and the Green Party’s Honore Kamegni, but all voted in favour of the development in light of the changes made and the need for housing.

The proposal passed, with 28 votes in favour, one against, and one abstention.

Labour’s Peter Horgan told The Echo: “It is incumbent on locally elected councillors to keep advocating for the right transport options for the Scairt and Donnybrook area and I will continue that.

“It’s extraordinary that in the midst of a housing crisis there was a vote against and an abstention.

“My view and my party’s view is that public housing is critical and we need to build, especially at the frontier of the city.”