New planning lodged for former Gaelscoil site in Ballincollig

REVISED PLAN FOR 19 APARTMENTS ARRANGED OVER TWO STOREYS

A REVISED planning application seeking permission for a residential development at the former Gaelscoil UI Ríordáin premises in Ballincollig has been lodged with Cork County Council planners.

The application has been lodged in the name of PSA Project Management Ltd, the same company that was refused permission for a development on the site last year – a decision that was upheld by An Bord Pleanála in February.

That application had sought a change of use for the vacant 1,074 sq metre building at Coolroe, which has laid idle since 2012, from educational to residential use. It made provision for 19, one and two-bed apartments arranged over three storeys with ancillary works and 20 car parking spaces.

Planners subsequently shot down the plan, citing two reasons for the refusal the first relating to its “scale, density and layout” ruling it would result in “over development” of the site.

“This would result in unacceptable and restrictive turning facilities, inadequate parking provisions, unacceptably restrictive and steeply sloping access roads and parking areas and insufficient public open space and recreational facilities for children,” read their report.

They further ruled that it would present a “serious traffic hazard” setting an “undesirable precedent” for other developments in the locality and would not “enhance the character and amenity” of the area in line with the County Development Plan.

Secondly, planners ruled the development would, by reason of overlooking, be “seriously injurious to the residential amenities of the adjoining properties”.

While PSA Management Ltd appealed the decision, including making amendments to the original proposal, senior An Bord Pleanála planning inspector Mary Crowley cited two key reasons and considerations for upholding the council’s original ruling.

She agreed with council planners that the scale, density and layout of the proposal would constitute over development of the site, resulting in “insufficient public open space to serve the density proposed.”

MS Crowley also agreed the proposed development would be “seriously injurious” to the residential amenities of the adjoining properties.

“To permit the development proposed (as amended) would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area,” her report concluded.

The revised application now makes provision for a scaled down development of 14, one and two-bed apartments arranged over two-storeys with 18 car parking spaces.

As with the original proposal, primary vehicular and pedestrian access will be via the existing entrance from the Inniscarra Rd with the addition of a new dedicated pedestrian entrance and footpath along the road. A date of June 13 has been set for submissions in the relation to the revised application, with planners due to make their ruling on it by Tuesday, July 4.