€200m development refused planning

MAJOR construction projects in Cork are in jeopardy after a €200 million housing development was shot down in a shock planning decision yesterday.

Citing an inadequate national road network, An Bord Pleanála refused O’Flynn Construction plans for a 638-home project on zoned land in Glanmire, on the outskirts of the city.

It is the second time in almost a year that the board has, for similar reasons, overruled county council decisions on the firm’s plans for the area.

Fears were raised last night that the latest decision could put on hold several other major building projects in the East Cork area.

After a three-day hearing, the board decided last April to refuse O’Flynn Construction permission to build 527 homes on the grounds of the historic Dunkettle house.

Yesterday, the board upheld an appeal by residents against the company’s plans to build 638 homes, 62 apartments, a crèche and three commercial units at Ballinglanna, next to the Dunkettle site.

In its decision, the board said the key Dunkettle Interchange on the main Cork to Dublin road, would not be able to cope with the extra traffic.

Planned developments around towns like Carrigtwohill, Midleton, Cobh, Fermoy, Rathcormac and Watergrasshill, whose residents also use the interchange, could be affected.

These towns, off the N8 and N20, were identified for significant expansion in the 2003 County Development Plan.

The proposals to develop the zoned lands at Dunkettle and Ballinglanna were to justify the major investment required to reopen the Dunkettle rail station.

The council had already given a commitment to the board that the Dunkettle road would be upgraded before the county development plan was adopted.

When contacted yesterday, Michael O’Flynn said he surprised at the decision as the land had been properly zoned “through the local democratic process at Cork County Council”.

“Bord Pleanála is now essentially over-ruling these authorities, which will affect all developments of zoned land on the Eastern Corridor, which has huge implications for Cork Area Strategic Plan,” Mr O’Flynn said.

He added that the suggestion by the board, that this refusal protects the investment in the national roads “was extraordinary” given the investment that it will undermine in the corridor of the Midleton rail line.