New points scheme to help developers all over the county

DEVELOPERS in County Cork will soon be forced to provide amenity and recreational outlets scaled to the size of their projects.

New policies are shortly to be adopted by Cork County Council which will feature a points system as a rough guide for the size of play areas.

For example, one point will be earmarked for every eight houses in a development. At minimum this will require the developer to set aside a 100 square metre play area for children.

Building 48 houses would require what is being termed as a “district play area” measuring 1,000 square ft.

Yesterday the draft policy document was presented to councillors for their comments, which were overwhelmingly favourable.

It was also stated by council management that in future sporting organisations will not be able to sell off any of their land banks unless they can find a similar venue, within a reasonable distance, which can be used as an alternative.

All existing recreational land in the county is to be retained and will be developed by the county council.

A number of councillors spoke in favour of the policy document at yesterday’s meeting of the Western Division in Clonakilty.

Cllr Noel Harrington (FG), who is division chairman, said it was time such a blueprint was adopted.

Assistant county manager, Theresa White, said that communities would have to be consulted by developers and that developers would have to set aside an appropriate amount of land.

“This is putting down a marker for recreational requirements. There is an increasing emphasis on the urbanisation of populations and this policy is certainly needed,” commented Fianna Fail Cllr Donal O’Rourke.

Cllr John Collins (FG), however, added a note of caution. He said he was concerned that the cost of providing recreational areas would be passed on by the developer to the already hard-pressed house buyer.

Meanwhile, Cllr Joe Carroll (FF) said he wasn’t happy with play areas the council was providing itself in local authority estates. He gave examples of areas where grass hadn’t been cut by the council.

Ms White added that she couldn’t understand why neighbours wouldn’t get together and cut such play areas themselves.