Planning commission gives green light for Ipas centre in Macroom

Approved plans will provide 20 apartment-style units for the temporary accommodation of people seeking international protection

Access to the site will be provided via the existing entrance to the Macroom Accommodation Centre at the former Riverside Park Hotel.

Plans to construct a new centre for international protection applicants in Macroom have been approved with revised conditions by the planning commission following an appeal by local residents and businesses.

Developer Peppard Investments Limited got the green light in June from Cork County Council to construct two buildings at Lower Condrum in Macroom, providing 20 apartment-style units for the temporary accommodation of people seeking international protection.

The plans also included car parking, landscaping, site clearance and development works. Access to the site will be provided via the existing entrance to the Macroom Accommodation Centre at the former Riverside Park Hotel.

The plans were appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála, with Macroom Golf Club one of several to object to the development. In its submission, the golf club said it had concerns regarding the proximity of the centre to the golf course, and was concerned about the health and safety aspect of the development due to its proximity.

Another objector said GP and school services in Macroom were already at capacity, adding that the town was “stressed enough currently,” until better facilities and services were put in place for such a development. It also noted that there were no rental properties available in the area at the time the objection was submitted.

However, the commission granted permission for the development in a 2:1 majority decision, generally in accordance with the inspector’s recommendation, approving the plans with 17 conditions.

These include building times, which can only be carried out between 7am and 7pm from Monday to Friday, 8am to 2pm on Saturdays and not at all on Sundays or public holidays, which the council said would ensure safeguarding the amenity of properties in the vicinity.

Meanwhile, plans for a large-scale residential development in North Cork has been approved by the local authority.

Developer Sayvale 18 Limited got the green light to construct 102 new homes at Annabella in Mallow, comprising 36 houses and 66 apartments.

The development will also include a two-storey creche, with all 36 homes being three-bedroom, terraced homes. The 66 apartments will consist of a mix of three-, two- and one-bedroom units.

Around half of the apartment units will be accommodated in eight two-storey buildings in the southern and central areas of the site, with the remaining 34 apartment units being accommodated in a one-to-three-storey apartment building to the north of the site.

Associated site works include new footpaths, public lighting, traffic calming measures, landscaping, public spaces, amenity areas, bicycle parking and bin storage facilities.