Cork residents raise concerns over land rezoning for residential developments

Dozens of residents in the Lehenaghmore area, and several local representatives, attended a recent meeting, where concerns were voiced over the proposed rezoning of land to accommodate further residential development.

The meeting at O’Connell Court and was attended by 60 local residents who highlighted concerns about a lack of appropriate infrastructure, and a failure to deliver essential services.

The meeting came following the publication of amendments to Cork City Council’s City Development Plan, where a proposed variation stated that the council intends to rezone 270 hectares of land across Cork for residential purposes. This includes two sites in the Lehenaghmore area.

They are a 1.63-hectare site East of Lehenaghmore Park, and an 11.39-hectare site off Togher Rd, where an estimated development of up to 700 homes could be proposed based on permissible housing density guidelines.

The variation to the plan came following new Government guidelines published last year, where each local authority was required to zone additional land for residential development to meet revised housing growth targets.

New link road needed 

Speaking to The Echo, Sinn Féin councillor for the Cork city South West ward, Joe Lynch, who attended the meeting, said the creation of a new road link is “urgently needed” in the area prior to further development.

“There is long-standing concern in Lehenaghmore about the lack of community facilities and infrastructure deficits, which was the backdrop for the meeting,” said Mr Lynch.

“There have been issues around the lack of footpaths, conditions of the road, and failure to deliver a long-awaited creche, shop and doctor surgery in the area. A lot of those issues were raised by local residents at the meeting.

“We [Sinn Féin] made a suggestion to amend the current rezoning proposal to create a new road link out from Spur Hill to alleviate massive traffic issues.

“Anyone who knows Lehenaghmore knows it’s a bottleneck – it's completely unsuited to heavy traffic,” he added.

“People have very justifiable concerns about what more housing will mean for [further traffic implications].

“The Pouladuff Road and the Togher Road are at capacity, so we hope to get support on this suggestion, because it’s urgently needed.” 

More than enough land rezoned 

Labour Party councillor for the ward, Ciara O’Connor, said there is already “more than enough land proposed for rezoning across the city”.

"In terms of housing developments going forward, we don’t need to include the two sites in Lehenaghmore,” said Ms O’Connor.

“I am happy to support the proposal for a new road link, but there needs to be a community framework developed first. There are no restaurants, shops or childcare facilities in the area, there are just a lot of houses - which isn’t fair.

“There is a lot of frustration, and I totally agree with the residents,” she added.

“I don’t think we can proceed with rezoning for further housing until the lack of infrastructure is addressed.”