Developer gets mansion despite family objection

ONE of Ireland’s leading property developers has won a planning dispute - with his sister-in-law.

Michael O’Flynn, managing director of O’Flynn Construction, has been granted planning permission for a 9,500sq ft mansion, despite the objections of his sister-in-law, Eileen. Mr O’Flynn, described by the Construction Industry Federation as one of the biggest property developers outside Dublin, plans to construct a property almost 10 times larger than the average three-bedroom townhouse his company usually builds.

Cork County Council granted permission for the development at Kilcrea, near Ovens, earlier this year, but one month later it was appealed to Bord Pleanála by three people, including Mr O’Flynn’s sister-in-law, Eileen T O’Flynn, who lives nearby.

A number of concerns were raised about the development, including claims that it would be out of scale in the rural area, and might impinge on views of the historic Kilcrea Abbey, which is situated 600 metres north-east of the site.

The file detailing the specific objections to planning, was not available for inspection yesterday. The public document was missing yesterday at Cork County Council’s planning office.

An Bord Pleanála has overruled a decision by its own inspector and granted Mr O’Flynn permission to build the mansion, which will be one of the largest private residences ever built in Co Cork.

Bord Pleanála inspector John O’Donnell carried out a detailed study on the proposals and concluded the project was contrary to proper planning and sustainable development of the area. In his report he described Mr O’Flynn’s proposals as a “grand project” which should be considered on it merits. He added, however, that the house would be “conspicuous, if not intrusive”, particularly on views northwards from the Killumney/Crookstown road, until the creation of a woodland proposed by the developer had matured.

Mr O’Donnell added a number of strict conditions which, he said, should be imposed by the board of An Bord Pleanála if Mr O’Flynn was given permission to proceed with the mansion. These included major landscaping works which would protect views of the area.

This week Mr O’Flynn’s investment company, Tiger Developments, which he runs jointly with Goodbody Stockbrokers, confirmed its acquisition of two British property portfolios, worth a massive €485 million. His main projects are concentrated in the Co Cork area.

His construction company recently applied for planning permission to build more than 600 homes at Dunkettle House in Glanmire, Co Cork.

A spokesman for Mr O’Flynn said yesterday that Mr. O’Flynn would not be commenting.