Planning board gives go-ahead for 362 homes in Cork town if road improvement works are done

Developer has been given approval by An Coimisiún Pleanála to build 318 houses and 44 apartments, along with a creche and cafe, in Carrigaline

Computer-generated images of Bridgewater Homes' 362-home development on Mountain Road in Kilmoney, Carrigaline.

Plans for 362 new homes in Carrigaline have been rubber stamped by An Coimisiún Pleanála, but the developer has been told road improvement works in the area must be carried out before any housing units are built.

Bridgewater Homes Ltd has been given approval to build 318 houses and 44 apartments, along with a creche and cafe, on the site on Mountain Road in Kilmoney, which is about 2km from the main street of the Cork town.

It has also said construction would be completed over six phases.

While it was granted permission to build the development by Cork County Council, it took an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála on one of the conditions attached around the Mountain Road improvement works.

Planners on behalf of the developer said this condition was "unreasonable" given the applicants' commitment to infrastructure delivery and "unnecessary", as the timing and delivery of this infrastructure had already been addressed in the phasing plan submitted as part of its application.

Alongside this appeal, third-party appeals over the development were also made by locals raising their concerns.

Overall, An Coimisiún Pleanála said the development would contribute positively to housing stock and physical infrastructure in the area.

While granting permission for the development, it retained the conditionthe road improvement works should take place.

“Having regard to the appeal submitted by the applicant, the commission agreed with the assessment and conclusion of the planning inspector, who considered the retention of the condition reasonable and necessary in the interests of residential amenity and traffic and pedestrian safety,” it said.