Plan for housing scheme in North Cork town approved despite infrastructure concerns 

Public representatives and residents across North Cork have called for improved infrastructure following approval of 469 homes in Mallow.

Reside Castlepark Ltd had sought 10-year planning permission for construction of a large-scale residential development along St Joseph’s Rd.

An objection was submitted on behalf of local residents who raised concerns about traffic gridlock and a lack of infrastructure.

Independent Ireland Cork North Central TD Ken O’Flynn said: “This is a prime example of a community being let down by poor infrastructure planning.

“We all know how important housing is, but the reality is that we are not delivering the infrastructure properly.”

“We’re still waiting for the Mallow relief road, and it’s just not good enough,” said Mr O’Flynn.

“Local government now needs to step up, we have to get the infrastructure right.

“We need a complete infrastructure rehaul in Mallow, because the town is suffering.”

The planned development approved by An Coimisiún Pleanála, on the eastern side of Mallow town centre, will be comprised of 469 residential units.

It will include 305 detached and semi-detached homes, townhouses, and bungalows; 164 apartments/duplex units; a 122-space childcare facility, and an interpretive centre/cafe.

Grave concerns

Residents group secretary Frank Heffernan said that local residents had “grave concerns” about the lack of local infrastructure and amenities.

“[There are] unsafe, unsuitable, and dangerous narrow local roads; very poor and unsafe footpaths, and no cycleways in the St Joseph’s Rd area,” said Mr Heffernan.

Fine Gael councillor for the Mallow electoral area, Liam Madden, said that “one thing about Mallow town is that we have infrastructure problems”.

Issues

“We have complete up-to-date services, so we can cater to these new houses, but we obviously have issues with infrastructure,” said Mr Madden.

“The Mallow relief road will help the situation, and that’s progressing, but what we need is the motorway from Cork to Limerick.

“Housing is needed, no doubt, but traffic is a big problem in Mallow, and the objections are mainly based on traffic concerns.

“The relief road and the motorway will all help,” he added.

“That development will only be a couple of minutes from the relief road and the motorway, so if they were there, there wouldn’t be as many objections.

“We have a lot of things going for us, it’s a good place to live, but that is the one thing — we need to improve the infrastructure,” said Mr Madden.