Green light for more than 70 Rochestown homes despite local objections 

New homes will comprise 10 houses and 62 apartments at Monfieldstown and Mounthovel in Rochestown

New homes will be located near the Bloomfield Interchange at Monfieldstown and Mounthovel in Rochestown

Plans for more than 70 new homes in Rochestown have been approved by the city council.

Diamond Developments Ltd lodged plans in May to demolish existing agricultural sheds at Monfieldstown and Mounthovel in Rochestown to make way for 72 new residential units.

The homes will comprise 10 three-bedroom houses and 62 apartments, which will be a mix of one- and two-bedroom units. These will be located across two apartment blocks up to five storeys in height.

Associated site works include landscaping and new amenity areas, vehicular and pedestrian access to the Woodbrook Road/ Rochestown Road Roundabout, car and bicycle parking, footpaths, lighting, drainage and bin storage.

The council greenlit the plans despite several objections, including one from the Parish Office of St Columba's Church in Douglas. 

In its submission, signed by Canon Teddy O'Sullivan and Fr Patrick O'Mahony, the parish office said that while it was acutely aware of the current housing crisis and the lack of new homes contributing to the issue, it remained "extremely concerned" about certain elements of the application.

These included traffic and parking concerns arising from the development, which the submission said may cause further difficulties for people attending St Patrick's Church, which is located to the southeast of the development site. 

"There is a risk that the proposed development could result in weddings and other services being moved to alternative churches in order to avoid the potential traffic difficulties.

"The added noise and traffic issues could result in a reduction in the number of parishioners attending St Patrick's Church."

Another submission lodged by local residents also cited traffic concerns, arguing that there were not enough car parking spaces in the plans to prevent on-street parking near the development and their own homes.

It also raised concerns regarding the height of the apartment blocks overlooking existing homes, adding that such a height in close proximity to the Bloomfield Interchange would be "distracting to motorists and may potentially cause accidents."

Despite these objections, Cork City Council approved the plans, granting permission for the development with 44 conditions.