Council receives application for €120m housing project

A MAJOR construction company has submitted proposals for an estimated €120 million housing project in Co Cork.

Castlelands Construction, a company based in Mallow, wants to build a mix of 455 houses on zoned land at Banshane, Midleton.

The development, which is earmarked for a 16.1 hectare site south of the town’s flyover, also includes a crèche, outdoor play area, an all-weather pitch and a gaelscoil primary school.

The move again reinforces developers’ interest in Midleton, especially with the opening of the commuter railway link to Cork, which is likely to be operational before the end of 2008.

Objections were initially made by some county councillors to rezoning land at Banshane, because they felt it was too far away from the new railway station and would, therefore, lead to more people using their cars to get to work. But it was later decided that the area was suitable for housing.

The second largest project in the county received by planning officials in the last few days is in the North Cork village of Rathcormac.

Bride View Developments Ltd are seeking the go-ahead for 97 homes, which will be predominantly three-bedroom houses. Also included in the company’s proposals is a sports pitch, neighbourhood play area and parking spaces. The project is earmarked for the Lisnagar townland.

Murnane & O’Shea have applied for 24 apartments at Terrysland, Carrigtwohill, while developer Finbarr Gannon wants to construct a mix of 19 house types at Poulavone, Ballincollig.

Edward Dullea has submitted plans for 16 houses and a proprietary unit at Lispatrick Lower, Garretstown and Dan Healy wants to construct 15 homes and a sewerage treatment plant in the village of Ballymakeera.

German supermarket discount chain, Aldi, has got permission to proceed with a new store and a 96-space carpark on Dean and Chapter land at Cobh. The company also got the nod for a similar project at Brigown, Mitchelstown in the last few days.

In addition, the mobile phone company 02 will be able to build a 30-metre high mast at Gurteen, Ballyhooly.

Goldcroft Developments, a company based in Kilmallock, Co Limerick, has, however, been refused permission to construct 13 terraced houses and two apartments at Rathgoggan, North Charleville.