Plans for 120 new Douglas homes approved following appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála

Positive bid to Cork City Council was appealed by neighbouring pub Barry's of Douglas 

Barrys Field 124 apartment development in Douglas

Plans for more than 120 homes in Douglas have been approved following an appeal by An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Developer Barrys Field Ltd received the green light from Cork City Council in June to construct 124 homes located on Carrigaline Road and Churchyard Lane in Douglas.

The plans consisted of a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as a new cafe and two new office units.

The planned development ranged from one to five storeys in height and included all associated site works, such as footpaths, car and bicycle parking, drainage, and landscaping/amenity areas.

Planned works also included two new uncontrolled pedestrian crossings and footpath improvements on Churchyard Lane, which required the removal of six existing on-street car parking spaces. In addition, the development works included the connection and construction of a new stormwater and foul sewer along Carrigaline Road.

Access to the site will be through a new vehicle access point, a new pedestrian connection from Carrigaline Road and two new pedestrian connections onto Churchyard Lane. The new vehicular access also required the removal of four existing car spaces.

The plans, which were greenlit by Cork City Council, were, however, appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála by several objectors, including Peter Collins of nearby bar and restaurant Barry’s of Douglas.

The pub owner argued the mixed-use scheme constituted an over-development of the area by reason of “excessive density” and would “seriously detract from the character and appearance of the village.” 

Mr Collins also argued that the development may be "adversely affected" by the operation of his pub by reason of it being an "after-hours" facility, which "could potentially affect the continued operations of Barry's Pub."

The business owner also objected to the lack of car parking to go with the development, adding that it would like result in "indiscriminate" kerbside parking in the vicinity of the site.

However, despite objections, An Coimisiún Pleanála granted permission for the development, siding with Cork City Council and approving plans with 25 conditions.