19 new houses sought for Shanowen Estate

A planning application to construct 19 new houses at Shanowen, Rathcormac has gone before Cork County Council.

Knockauduff Crest Homes Ltd, the applicant, submitted the application for consideration on Tuesday of last week.

The proposed development is currently at pre-validation stage, with a decision due from Cork County Council on by May 30.

According to the planning application, the proposed development involves the construction of 19 two-storey houses consisting of 3 three-block two-storey units and 3 semi-detached two-storey units along with 1 four-block two-storey unit.

Included in the proposal is a detached two- storey crèche; vehicular entrance and access road off Dispensary Lane, and connection to existing public services.

The site in question, located between the existing estate and Dispensary Lane, features a protected structure - a former ‘fever hospital’ and dispensary which the proposal notes, requesting permission to make the former fever hospital and dispensary safe by carrying out works.

Works proposed for the structure include sealing the top stone walls with lime mortar, pointing stonework with lime mortar, plastering blocked up openings with lime plaster, and all associated works.

It is understood that this planning application forms part of Phase

Three of the original plans for Shanowen Estate, which includes the entrance road from Dispensary Lane, connecting the estate to Rathcormac Village.

Originally under Phase 5 of the plan, it is understood that nine homes were to be built on the land located between the existing estate and Dispensary Lane.

PROGRESS

Residents of Shanowen Estate previously spoke to The Avondhu regarding unfinished works in the area, with approximately one-third of the estate remaining unfinished including footpaths, roadways, green areas and alleged non-compliance with planning conditions.

Elected members of the Fermoy Municipal District were also vocal on the issue last year, as they called for meetings with the council’s Estates Department to discuss Shanowen Estate. The topic was raised at several council meetings in 2021.

A planning application, similar to the current one, was submitted to Cork County

Council for approval in November 2020. This application however, was subsequently withdrawn by the applicants in December of 2021.

At the time, the application sought the construction of 26 two-story houses consisting of six 3-block 2-storey units and four semi-detached 2-storey units long with a vehicular entrance and an access road off Dispensary Lane.

Progress on unfinished elements of the estate was also seen last year, with the provision of a green area and completion of an unfinished road in the estate, both of which were key elements requiring action, as highlighted to

TheAvondhu by residents at the time.