Almost 100 new homes get green light in Cork with 113 more in the pipeline

The two housing projects are in Cloyne and in Douglas

The plans for a mix of four-bed, three-bed and two-bed homes for the east Cork town of Cloyne, along with a creche with space for 52 children, have been approved. File photo: Andrew Matthews/PA

Planning permission has been granted for 96 new homes in Cloyne, while separately developers have lodged proposals for 113 new homes in Douglas.

Palmira Ltd was last week told by Cork County Council that its plans for a mix of four-bed, three-bed and two-bed homes for the east Cork town of Cloyne, along with a creche with space for 52 children, had been approved.

Located just to the south of the central crossroads of Cloyne, and accessed from Church Street, planners said that it was within easy walking or cycling distance from local amenities and services.

John Dinneen Consulting Engineers, on behalf of Palmira, told the council: “Our client is committed to providing a high-quality housing scheme.

“It is considered that the proposed development represents an appropriate residential scheme that will contribute positively to the village of Cloyne, providing roughly half of the units required during the lifetime of the current development plan.

“It aspires in layout and mix to build an extension of the Cloyne community that is well integrated, representative and positive in its contribution to the village.” 

The planning approval was a long time coming, with the plans first being lodged in December 2022. Cork County Council requested further information on several aspects of the plans from the applicant, while a number of locals also lodged submissions raising concerns about the development.

These concerns ranged from pedestrian and vehicle access to the village, road safety in the area and flooding risk.

One resident said: “Church Street does not have full pedestrian access to the village from either Cloyne Meadows or this new proposed development as footpaths narrow and cut off on each side of the road leading to the village making it too dangerous for children to walk to the local school.

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“[And] on the most recent flooding, the road on the exit of the proposed new development was flooded and impassible for a week.” 

Nevertheless, following the lengthy process, Cork County Council granted permission for the 96 homes in late January with 65 conditions attached.

Separately, two separate planning bids have been lodged by Johnson and Perrott Property Developments Ltd for a combined 113 new homes on a site on the South Douglas Road just outside Cork City.

The first application consists of 93 homes across a 1.98 hectare site along with a creche and vehicular and pedestrian access, with the second featuring 20 homes across a 0.7 hectare site. 

Cork City Council has set a target date of March 19 for its decision on these proposals.

According to Department of Housing figures, there were 1,186 homes where construction started in Cork City in 2023, with a further 2,403 homes in Cork county.