Planners expect green light to build new town

Planners are confident of getting the green light from An Bord Pleanála to build a new town in Co Cork, despite the current economic climate.

The board has set aside up to seven days to hear Cork County Council’s plans to create a 5,000-house town at Monard, near Blarney.

If approved, it will become only the second complete pre-planned town to be built in the country after Adamstown in Co Dublin.