Northside Cork city preservation group raising funds for legal battle to stop housing development

Kilbarry Preservation Group has launched a fundraiser seeking help in raising money to cover legal fees in their bid to prevent the development of Lower Murphy’s Rock.

Last year, An Comisiún Pleanála granted permission for 319 homes; 85 semi-detached houses, 118 terraced homes, 53 duplex units and 63 apartments, as well as a creche and riverside park to Cork County GAA Board for a project it said would provide “much-needed housing on the northside, while using the sale to reduce the debts of Cork GAA”.

Kilbarry Preservation Group has engaged solicitors FP Logue to take this decision to the High Court.

“Should we win, then costs will be covered by An Bord Pleanála and we will return all monies to contributors, subject to administrative costs associated with this site,” they said.

The group said: “This is an area of great biodiversity and natural beauty, used as an amenity by locals.

“For generations, we used the River Bride for swimming and the valley for leisure.”

Among the issues put forward by the group are road design, biodiversity, and run-off.

The group added that they are also worried about protected species and wildlife, bats, run-off from the River Bride, and flooding.

“There are 12 protected species and two endangered species listed on the National Biodiversity Database for this site,” the group said.

A GoFundMe page is available here.

The Echo contacted Cork City Council for comment.