An Bord Pleanála has given the go-ahead for the construction of 299 residential units on a 23-acre site in the Kennel Hill area of Mallow. The development, proposed by Reside Capital Ltd., will be built over three phases, with 185 two, three and four-bed semi-detached townhouse/terraced houses, 50 one, two and three-bed apartment/duplex units, and 64 one and two-bed apartments in two four- storey blocks with basement parking. Also in the plan is a crèche, seven neighbourhood play areas, a multi-use games area, kick-about areas, an amenity walkway and a number of grassed areas. A piece of public art must also be put in place within the site.
The planning application differed from those in the past, as it was lodged directly with An Bórd Pleanála, instead of through the local planning authority, Cork Co. Council. The council, however, did recommend that the development should go ahead as it was ‘consistent with the objectives of County Development and Local Area Plans’. In its ruling, An Bórd Pleanála said the proposed development would not seriously injure existing local residential or leisure amenities, and was acceptable in terms of urban design, height and scale, and traffic and pedestrian safety. It was also stated that there was no real likelihood of it having any major impact on the local environment.
A number of third-party submissions were made about the application, covering a number of areas of concern, such as whether it was ‘in keeping’ with the Kennel Hill residential area, the already-busy traffic in the area, the ecological impact of the development, the number of car-parking spaces, and the impact on local school numbers.
In granting the proposal, An Bórd Pleanála imposed a number of conditions in areas such as public safety, orderly development, car parking and the protection of existing residential and visual amenities.
These conditions can be seen at www.pleanala.ie and full details of the development can be viewed at www.annabellashd.ie.
A Natura Impact Statement was prepared by the developer in respect of the application, and accomp-anied the application.