Developer appeals council’s refusal for Kinsale homes on site of planned creche

A developer has appealed Cork County Council’s refusal to allow seven homes to be built on the site of a planned creche in Kinsale.

Sarah Crean has asked An Coimisiún Pleanála to overturn the council’s decision on the Park Laurence development at Glasheen and Park Laurence.

The plans would replace a permitted 36-place creche with seven residential units and alter the scheme originally approved under a previous planning application.

It is the second attempt to secure permission for housing on the creche site. A similar proposal was refused last year. Cork County Council again rejected the plan in June, saying it would leave a significant housing development without the childcare facilities required under the County Development Plan.

The creche had formed part of the original permission for the 86-home Park Laurence development. In recommending refusal, the area planner said there had been “no significant material change in policy or circumstances” since the previous application was turned down.

The planner said the opening of a childcare facility in the neighbouring Abbeyfort development did not remove the requirement to provide the creche approved for Park Laurence.

“This is the second attempt within the last 18 months by the developer to relieve themselves of constructing a childcare facility altogether – and build seven houses instead,” the report stated. Three objections were lodged with the council. Concerns included the loss of the planned creche, future demand for childcare places and the proposal’s compatibility with county planning policy.

The appeal was lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála on July 17 and will be decided on the basis of written evidence. A decision is due by November 19.