Plans granted for 30 new homes in Dennehy's Cross following appeal to planning commission

An Coimisiún Pleanála approved the plans for 30 new apartments at the former Dennehy's Cross Garage despite deveral objections

Computer-generated image of how the planned residential and retail development on Cork city's Dennehy's Cross will look. Image: RealSim

Permission has been granted by An Coimisiún Pleanála for a new multi-storey residential development and artisan food market at a long-vacant site in Dennehy's Cross following an appeal by local residents and businesses.

The former Dennehy's Cross Garage, located close to the Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit at the junction of Magazine Road, Wilton Road, Victoria Cross Road and Model Farm Road is to be redeveloped in a four-storey complex with planning for a cafe/restaurant on the ground floor level and an artisan food market also approved.

The plans were lodged by Galway firm, Dennehy's Cross Construction Ltd which is headed by Brian McHugh, Finian Hanley and Finn Hill.

The part three- and part five-storey residential development will comprise 30 apartments, which will be a mix of one- and two-bedroom units, with the existing garage structure on the site being demolished to make way for construction. 

The former butcher's site at the location will be preserved for use as the artisan market food store. No parking was proposed but the site will provide 49 bicycle spaces.

Permission for the development was lodged in May 2023 after the firm revised the size of its plan following concerns raised in pre-planning meetings with Cork City Council.

In 2020, the company was refused planning permission for the development of 45 apartments on the same site.

Former Dennehy's Cross Garage at Dennehy's Cross, Cork.

However, revised plans with less apartments were approved by Cork City Council in May 2024, with planning consultants Butler O'Neill stating in the application to City Hall that the development presented an opportunity to deliver "high quality appropriately scaled quality residential development in an area of high demand" at an "underutilised site."

The approved plans were then appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála following an appeal by local residents and businesses.

A group formed to oppose the project, the Dennehy’s Cross Action Group, collected 124 signatures of local residents objecting to the scheme. The group claimed the proposed structure, which it branded a “monstrosity”, was totally out of character with the area and would result in “a visual blight on this pleasant suburban streetscape".

Dentist Donal O'Keefe of Dennehy's Cross Dental Practice also objected to the development, saying the proposed height would be "excessive and overbearing."

Mr O'Keefe argued the development would result in a loss of light and a negative noise impact, adding that it would also have an adverse effect on the protected views of the neighbouring Church of the Decent of the Holy Spirit.

Another objection also raised similar issues and argued that the "large increase" in residents in the area would lead to "increased noise and unsociable behaviour in particular as apartments are targeted at student residents."

Despite the objections, An Coimisiún Pleanála approved the plans, granting permission with revised conditions for the development. 

These included that no part of the ground floor retail unit shall be used as a hot food or fast-food takeaway outlet, each residential unit shall be used as a single dwelling and not be sub-divided, and public lighting shall be provided along pedestrian routes through open spaces.