Plans for almost 470 new homes in Mallow approved despite concerns of local residents

Seán McCárthaigh

Plans for almost 470 new homes in north Cork have been approved despite opposition from a group of residents in Mallow who expressed concern that the development is premature in the absence of appropriate infrastructure.

An Coimisiún Pleanála has granted planning permission for 469 residential units as part of a large-scale residential development at Castlepark, St Joseph’s Road to the east of Mallow town centre.

The plans provide for a mix of 305 detached and semi-detached houses, townhouses, bungalows, and 164 apartments and duplex units in buildings up to three storeys in height.

Other facilities on the 18.2-hectare site include a creche with a community room and interpretative centre/café, while a total of 94 units will be made available for social and affordable housing.

The Commission rejected an appeal made on behalf of residents of St Joseph’s Road and associated housing estates against the decision of Cork County Council to grant planning permission for the proposed development by Reside (Castlepark) Limited.

Subject to compliance with a number of planning conditions, the Commission said the development would constitute an acceptable density in an urban location and would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area or other properties in the vicinity.

It noted the lands were specifically zoned for housing development and concluded that the plans were acceptable in terms of layout, urban design, height and unit mix as well as in relation to traffic, pedestrian safety and convenience.

The proposed development was opposed by a group of residents from St Joseph’s Road and Aldworth Heights in Mallow who claimed it was premature due to the lack of adequate social and physical infrastructure to cater for the increased population it would generate.

“Local residents have grave concerns on the lack of local infrastructure and amenities, unsafe, unsuitable and dangerous narrow local roads, very poor and unsafe footpaths, and no cycleways in the St Joseph’s Road area,” said the group’s secretary, Frank Heffernan.

The group also expressed concern that the new housing estate would create traffic gridlock in the area.

“St Joseph’s Road currently lacks local community-based services, community facilities and neighbourhood amenities, not to mind the current realities of inadequate roads, poor and unsafe pedestrian footpaths, no cycle paths, and no local public transport,” said Mr Heffernan.

The group argued no further large-scale residential developments should be allowed in the area until the Mallow Relief Road was operational.

They claimed the relief road was “absolutely essential” due to concern about several new housing developments in Mallow which they claim will add 1,350 new homes to the south-east of the town as well as 2,480 additional vehicles per day.

The residents have called on Cork County Council to adopt a strategic planning approach to progress the various residential developments in the pipeline in the area.

Mr Heffernan stressed that local residents have no objection to any new housing developments in the area once they are designed and built “in a balanced, integrated and effective” way.

In a 177-page report, a planning inspector with the Commission said she was satisfied that the proposed development was not premature pending the delivery of the relief road as the existing local road network had the capacity to accommodate the volume of traffic likely to be generated by the Castlepark project.

Reside said the development had been designed “to provide high-quality homes that will contribute positively to Mallow where demand for housing has been consistent.”

The company claimed it would not give rise to any adverse traffic impacts.

It also claimed it was not within ’s remit to ensure any road improvements within the wider area were completed prior to it submitting a planning application.

Reside has committed to carrying out improvement works on lands within its ownership as well as paying a special contribution to Cork County Council towards work on lands owned by the local authority.

The company plans to develop the new housing estate in three separate phases over a timeframe of eight years.