Planning decisions see 900 new homes for Cork city

A series of large-scale residential developments in Cork that were all appealed to the planning commission by local residents and third parties have been decided, resulting in the approval of more than 900 homes located within the boundaries of Cork City Council.

Spanning Ballincollig, Bishopstown, and White’s Cross, the homes seek to address gaps in the housing supply around the city, with many also targeting young families and first-time buyers.

The largest of these developments, a large-scale residential scheme comprising 544 homes across a 15.2-hectare site at Greenfield, Ballincollig, has been greenlit by An Coimisiún Pleanála following objections to the body from almost a dozen parties, including politicians and a local residents association.

Objectors to the planning commission included the Greenfields Concerned Group and Fianna Fáil councillor Colm Kelleher, who raised several issues, calling some of the proposed apartments “too large and visually dominant”, while also pointing to pressures on nearby school and healthcare services.

In its decision, the planning commission upheld the verdict of Cork City Council to grant planning permission to developers Murnane & O’Shea for the project, which also includes a creche and retail unit. The plans provide for 232 houses, including a large number of three and four-bedroom family units, as well as 312 apartments in 28 separate blocks up to four storeys in height.

Condition imposed

A condition imposed by An Coimisiún Pleanála in the grant of planning permission requires the developers to confine the sale of new homes to individual buyers, with a ban on any units being sold to corporate buyers or approved housing bodies.

Adding to the more than 900 homes recently approved by the planning commission, some 246 homes on a 13.5-hectare site near Bishopstown was also granted planning permission following several objections from local residents. Developer Bridgewater Homes initially received planning permission from the city council in February to build 143 homes and 103 apartments at Waterfall Rd in the townland of Ardarostig.

The scheme include apartment blocks, duplexes, townhouses, and semi-detached homes, all of which are intended for private sale.

The development, comprising a mix of one-, two-, three-, and four-bed houses, also includes plans for a creche to accommodate up to 140 children.

Bridgewater’s focus is centred on lands at Ardarostig, on the city end of Waterfall Rd, where the developer has already established a presence through its now almost complete 275-unit Waterfall Heights scheme. The 246-home scheme is located opposite the Waterfall Heights development.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Cork city, Whitestone Corner Properties Ltd got the green light following an appeal to the planning commission to construct 114 apartments on Ballyhooly Rd, at Laherdane in Whites Cross.

The scheme will comprise three apartment blocks up to five storeys in height, with the units including a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

The developers said the scheme will result in a “sustainable residential community” and would provide for “much-needed range of housing options in Cork”.

The approval from the planning commission came despite an objection by a local resident, who raised concerns about “excessive density and height”, undesirable pedestrian access, loss of privacy, low amenity lighting, and the impact of the development on nearby housing estates.