Saturday, November 21, 2009 Previous editions
Saturday, November 07, 2009
OK — it’s four acres zoned residential on top of Church Hill in Passage West and it’s €495,000 — what’s the catch?
Not the downturn especially, although that helps explain the deflated price, it’s more about the awkwardness of the site and planning restrictions.
Yes, Fota View does have urban residential zoning, (and it has a cottage which could be bulldozed in favour or another dwelling), but its on a slim half acre slice of the site, which leaves all the rest in the Green Belt.
According to William Hunter of Davis Hunter Auctioneers, you could get two, large houses on the land on the basis of the most recent, pre-planning discussions.
There had been a series of planning applications during the boom, but high densities were ruled out — and objected to by locals. Which means sensitivity to the site, aspect and the neighbours will be the order of the day for a potential purchaser.
But, for a house and four acres in a good location, it’s still worth a punt, considering, says William Hunter, an average site cost of €250,000 to €275,000 in the immediate area.
As to the cottage, it’s quite nice, he says, and has a good bit of character, which means it could be extended and the acreage turned into a small holding. All very Good Life and perhaps, attractive to certain buyers.
Either way, the site has stunning views over the lower harbour, as the name suggests and is set in a quiet, peaceful and settled neighbourhood.
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