Plans for nearly 100 homes in West Cork get go-ahead 

Green light for developer, four years after proposals were first made to develop the Clonakilty site

The proposals for 93 homes in Clonakilty were originally made in 2019. Picture: Andy Gibson

Plans for 93 new homes in West Cork have been green-lit by Cork County Council, more than four years after proposals were first made to develop the site.

Cloncastle Developments Ltd has been successful in its bid for planning permission for 93 houses on Miles Road, around 1.5km from the centre of Clonakilty.

More than half of the homes (67) are to be three-bed houses, with a further 19 two-bed and seven four-bed homes.

According to Cork City Council planning filings, the first planning bids in 2019 were deemed either incomplete or were withdrawn.

A further planning application in 2022 was refused.

The council said at the time that the development would be “premature by reference to the existing deficiency in the provision of water supplies and existing capacity constraints on the Clonakilty water supply zone”.

In respect of the fresh planning application this year, Uisce Éireann said it had no objection, and the developers said it had appointed a contractor to carry out works to address water supply issues in the area.

'Appropriately scaled'

In its planning statement, developers argued that the large housing development was “appropriately scaled” and “will not give rise to any undue impacts on the amenity of adjacent properties”.

“Moreover, the proposed development would contribute to the urban form of the Clonakilty area whilst protecting the residential amenity of adjoining properties and not harming the character or appearance of the area,” it said.

Concerns, however, were raised by some local residents about the impact of the proposals, with issues around the loss of privacy for nearby properties and the impact on local biodiversity.

Having lodged planning permission in February, Cork County Council sought further information from the applicant before granting permission late last month.

Separately, permission for a further 21 new homes has been sought on South Douglas Road near Cork city.

Rubellite Ltd has applied to the city council to build the homes at Ard Na Gaotihe with a decision due at the end of November.

Furthermore, the city council has approved plans for eight new apartments on Barratt’s Lane, off Bishopstown Road.