Riverside hotel and housing plan refused

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a 100-bedroom hotel and 66 houses in Co Cork have been turned down, but Marymount Hospice has received permission to build a 129-bed hospital.

An Bord Pleanála yesterday turned down an application by Lawton Homes for the hotel and housing project on the banks of the River Blackwater, in Fermoy.

Permission was initially refused by Fermoy town council, following a debate that bitterly divided opinion in the town. Objectors claimed the development was improper as it would use the last piece of amenity land left in the town centre and because it was situated on a floodplain.

Bord Pleanála refused permission on three counts. Firstly, it noted that the land is zoned as “open space” for recreation and amenity purposes. Secondly, it deemed the scale of the project to be out of character with the area. Finally, officials also felt that a risk was posed by its positioning on the floodplain, adjacent to flood-prone Fermoy’s town park.

The board of St Patrick’s Hospital on Wellington Road, more commonly known as Marymount Hospice, has received permission to build a multi-million euro hospital on the south-western side of the city.

Cork County Council yesterday granted the board permission to construct the hospital at Ballinaspig More on the Waterfall Road.

The development will include 75 non-acute beds and 44 hospice beds. The hospital will be built over two and three storeys and will have a total floor space of 11,000 sq metres.

Access will be provided from the Curraheen Road interchange.

Another multi-million euro project also received the green light from the county council yesterday.

Developer Paul Montgomery, who is based in Waterfall, got the go-ahead to construct 169 homes and childcare facilities at Ballyleary, Cobh.

Rochestown-based developers William and Leonard Lynch are being allowed to proceed with 81 houses of varying sizes and a 60-bed nursing home at Mountbell, Killeagh. In addition, they have received permission to construct 25 two-bed sheltered houses for independent living.

Also granted yesterday was a development by Charleville-based MDL Construction consisting of 28 houses at Fermoy Road, Kildorrery.

Council planning officials have received a high number of applications in the last few days.

Among the most noteworthy is LIFI Constructions proposals to build 80 houses at Tullig More, Ballinhassig. The project also includes a creche, amenity and play areas, and 164 parking spaces.

Shearwater Developments is seeking permission for 57 houses and childcare facilities at Rathmore, Kinsale.

Irish & European Properties Ltd is looking to change its plans for a hotel at Ownahincha. The company wants to substitute plans for 124 bedrooms with 48 apartments for short term/holiday letting.