New 48-home development in Cork gets green light despite local concerns

An Bord Pleanála approves 48 new homes on Blackrock Road in Cork despite strong local objections over height and density

The proposed development is taking place on lands associated with 1 and 2 Ashton Place and Ashton Park — two historic houses that date from the 1840s, which were sold separately in 2022. Picture: Dan Linehan

Plans for almost 50 new homes on a prominent site on the southside of Cork have been granted planning permission despite a large number of objections from local residents.

An Bord Pleanála has upheld the decision of Cork City Council to approve the development of 44 apartments in two blocks, ranging from five to six storeys in height, as well as four mews houses on lands bordered by Ashton Place and Ashton Park on the Blackrock Road.

The board rejected appeals by 10 different parties against the proposal by development firm, Dwellings Developments Blackrock Road.

It also upheld an appeal by the developer against a condition imposed by the council in the grant of planning permission which required the omission of one floor in the taller apartment block with the loss of six units.

An Bord Pleanála also rejected the recommendation of its own planning inspector, who had argued one floor should be omitted as there was not adequate justification to exceed the upper target building height limit of five storeys for the Blackrock and Ballintemple area.

The company had claimed the removal of one storey would significantly undermine the viability of the scheme.

The proposed development is taking place on lands associated with 1 and 2 Ashton Place and Ashton Park — two historic houses that date from the 1840s, which were sold separately in 2022.

Dwellings Developments also successfully appealed a condition which required any work on the redevelopment of two houses at Ashton Place to be completed before any of the new homes could be occupied.

The plans also provide for the partial demolition of a ruined building in a corner of the 0.77-hectare site, as well as a new vehicular entrance off Ashton Park, and the reinstatement of a historical public lane which will be used for pedestrian and cycles access to the development.

Subject to compliance with more than 30 different planning conditions, the board said the proposed development would not seriously injure the character of the area or the amenities of other properties in the vicinity.

It said the project would not adversely impact the character or setting of the Blackrock Road Architectural Conservation Area, and two listed buildings.

The board said the development was also acceptable in terms of density, design, unit mix and residential amenity for future occupants as well as in relation to traffic and pedestrian safety.

Several local residents had complained the proposed height and density of the housing scheme exceeded those permitted for sites within Cork’s inner suburbs.

They claimed the apartment blocks would be “incongruous” compared to the prevailing one-three storey buildings in the area and would represent overdevelopment, which would injure the character of the adjoining neighbourhood.

Other concerns related to the impact of the development on the architectural conservation area and on traffic, with locals claiming it would pose a road safety hazard.