Plan for 144 apartments in Cork City given go-ahead despite local objections

Homes will be built on Ballyhooly Road, Laherdane, Whites Cross

Whitestone Corner Properties Ltd has received planning permission to construct the new homes on Ballyhooly Road, Laherdane, Whites Cross, after a lengthy process. Picture: White's Cross LRD

Cork City Council has given the green light to a new 114-unit apartment development north of the city.

Whitestone Corner Properties Ltd has received planning permission to construct the new homes on Ballyhooly Road, Laherdane, Whites Cross, after a lengthy process stretching back to the papers first being lodged in July.

It had sought permission for 114 apartments, a mix of one-bed, two-bed and three-bed homes alongside new footpaths, cycle paths and lighting for the development with a pedestrian link to the nearby Longview residential development south of the site.

As part of papers lodged on behalf of the applicant, it said the mix of units would help to achieve the housing targets mix for areas within city suburbs of Cork City.

“The proposed development will address the gaps in the current supply of dwellings,” it said, adding there was currently a “severe shortage” of one- and two-bed units in the area.

Cork City Council had originally indicated it would make a decision on the application by late-September, but requested further information before it could decide on the planning bid.

In a report from a council inspector, it highlighted the range of concerns raised by locals over the development. These include issues around the density and scale of the development, parking provision, footpath links, road safety and impacts on residential amenities in the area.

'Strain on local infrastructure'

Concerns were also raised about the impact on local services given the large Longview development next to the site.

Listing their concerns, the inspector noted: “As Longview is still under construction, and existing services are under strain, the proposed development risks creating unsustainable pressure on essential services and undermines the balanced delivery of housing and community needs envisioned by the [urban expansion area].

“The Longview development brings over 700 houses, which of itself will put a strain on local infrastructure, services and amenities. The proposed development would magnify this pressure.

“Primary and secondary schools in the area could already have limited capacity. Sports clubs the same. Proposed development risks tipping local services into permanent overload before the area’s existing housing has even bedded in.” 

The inspector shared some of the concerns raised by residents, and recommended further information be supplied by the applicant before planning permission could be granted.

This included information on the flood risk assessment, justification for the density of the development, and the low level of car parking spaces proposed.

Having received that, it decided to grant permission. It said the development would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area, and is in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.