Seán Óg Ó hAilpín scuppered in bid to build new home in Cork

Hurling legend Seán Óg Ó hAilpín has been scuppered in his bid to build a new four-storey home in Cork. Picture: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Hurling legend Seán Óg Ó hAilpín has been scuppered in his bid to build a new four-storey home in Cork.

The All-Ireland winner and his wife Siobhan Quirke had hoped to build a new home just outside Inishannon, but they have been blocked by Cork County Council planners amid fears the "proposal would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard."

The 210 sq m home would also have had a domestic garage of 23.5 sq m and a wastewater treatment system over half a hectare of land.

In a design statement compiled by principal architect George Boyle, on behalf of the three-time All Ireland medal winner Mr Ó hAilpín — a former business development manager with Ulster Bank and now working with a business utility consultancy — and Ms Quirke, who runs the nearby Quirkey Kitchen business, said the final design evolved from “an immersive response to the site’s unique historic, geographical and social positioning”.

“The result is a sophisticated, sustainable, mature, modest, contemporary and we hope, a little breath-taking response to context,” he said.

However, the proposals were recommended for refusal by the council’s area engineer, who said: “The main issue here is, very poor sightlines and the proposal to intensify a substandard entrance onto a Regional Road and serious concerns to the safety of road users.” 

A Cork County Council planner also noted the site was located off a very busy regional road connecting Inishannon with Kinsale, and said that the existing vehicle access is “way below safety standards”.

“Ecological matters identified as being of critical importance at pre-planning stage two years ago have not been seriously explored,” the inspector added.

However, while recommending refusing the plans, the Cork County Council planning inspector noted: “The architecture, design, and visual impact of the house is very positive. It will fit into the site and surrounds.

“It will have limited prominence in the immediate surrounds. It will cause no harm to this part of Bandon River Valley and is set-far back from Scenic Route and well beyond the ‘high’ value landscape.” 

Nonetheless, the planning bid was refused based on the road access to the site.

Despite the refusal, an appeal could still be lodged with An Bord Pleanála against the council’s decision within the next month.