An Bord Pleanála has given the green light to Cork property developer O’Flynn Construction to build 24 new homes in Crosshaven, despite claims the development would impact negatively on the local archaeological heritage.
The board upheld the decision of Cork County Council to grant planning permission for a development of 12 three-bed houses and 12 two-bed houses at Drake’s Point, Knocknagore, Crosshaven, although it revised some of the conditions originally imposed by the local authority.
It rejected an appeal by a local landowner, who claimed the O’Flynn Construction project on a site near the Holy Trinity Church of Ireland, Templebreedy National School, and Crosshaven House would detract from the archaeological landscape of the area.
Subject to compliance with a number of planning conditions, the board said the proposed development would provide “a high-quality residential development on an underutilised site”.
It also determined the project would not seriously injure the character and heritage of the area or amenities of properties in the vicinity, as well as providing an adequate standard of residential amenity for future occupiers.
A report by a planning inspector with An Bord Pleanála noted the site was currently partly used to store construction waste and was overgrown and “quite unsightly”.
“In its current state, it significantly detracts from the streetscape at this location,” the inspector observed.
She also remarked it would benefit from “appropriate regeneration” and noted there was a recognised need for additional homes within the existing footprint of Crosshaven.
Planning permission for 40 apartments across two blocks had previously been granted on the same site following an application submitted in 2019, but the development never went ahead.
O’Flynn Construction said it had decided following a review of construction costs the development of apartments on the site was no longer viable.
It estimated the average cost of the proposed two-bed homes would be €248,327, and €313,229 for the three-bed properties.
A local landowner, Michael FitzGerald, pointed out the Church of Ireland building, which was constructed between 1866 and 1868, was the only parish church in Ireland designed by the renowned architect William Burgess.
He noted the church, as well as nearby Crosshaven House, were listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
Mr FitzGerald said there was an onus on the planning authorities to ensure there was “no ill-conceived development within view of these heritage sites as remedial action later is impossible”.
He claimed such development could only have “a negative impact on hundreds of years of religious devotion and rural development”.
The appellant also highlighted that Templebreedy National School was a proposed natural heritage area due to its population of Leisler bats.
He also raised concerns about the impact of the development on groundwater supplies in the area, the loss of mature trees and capacity of the local sewage network.
Mr Fitzgerald claimed local demand for housing had been met “several times over” in Crosshaven, with over-development of the village leading to “loss of important heritage and biodiversity”.
In response to the appeal, O’Flynn Construction said such issues had been carefully considered by Cork County Council and addressed at the application stage.
The company claimed the proposed development would provide a positive visual impact on its immediate surroundings and would not obstruct views of the church or school.
