€40 million apartment scheme rejected

PLANS for a €40 million apartment scheme in a County Cork town have been refused by An Bord Pleanála.

Some of the proposed new apartments were considered to be out of scale with the residential character of Midleton while the proposed scheme represented an over-development of the site.

Alchemy Properties had intended to build 132 apartments in three blocks, ranging in size from three to six storeys, in the town’s Mill Road.

However, Bord Pleanála inspector, Peter Fenwick, said that, while it was Cork County Council policy to develop the area, this could occur only on a phased basis, ensuring that all the necessary physical, social and economic infrastructure was in place.

“There is no approved masterplan for the area, which includes the appeal site — hence the proposed development is premature and contravenes the zoning objective of the site, pending the submission and approval of the masterplan for the area,” Mr Fenwick said in his report.

As such, he said, the Alchemy Properties plan was contrary to proper planning and sustainable development of the area. The inspector added that he was also concerned that the number of apartments proposed represented an overdevelopment of the site.

Mr Fenwick stated that two of the apartment blocks in particular would be out of scale with the established residential character of the general area.

“Furthermore, the scheme as proposed is deficient in recreational amenity space in both public and private space, together with a deficiency in off-street parking, with a resultant loss of highway safety from on-street parking.

“As such the proposed development is contrary to proper planning and sustainable development of the area,” his report added.

The board of An Bord Pleanála decided to back the inspector’s views and refused permission.