2443031
Permission for a Large-Scale Residential Development (LRD) at this site at Ringwood, Shean Upper, Blarney, Cork. The proposed development will consist of a largescale residential development (LRD), representing Phase 1 of the development in the Blarney East / Ringwood Expansion Area, and comprising of 246no. residential dwellings as follows: 101no. apartments arranged in 4no. part 3-storey, part 4-storey apartment blocks (to include 6no. 1-bed studio units, 35no. 1-bed units and 60no. 2-bed units); 30no. duplex dwellings arranged in 3no. 3-storey buildings (to include 15no. 1-bed dwellings and 15no. 2-bed dwellings); and 115no. 2-storey and 3-storey houses (to include 19no. 2-bed dwellings, 64no. 3-bed dwellings, and 32no. 4-bed dwellings). The proposed development also includes crèche (380.6sqm) with capacity to accommodate 61no. children. The proposed development will include provision for car parking, including EV charging points, bicycle parking, and motorcycle parking bays, and the provision of an area reserved for future resident car parking to the rear of Woodville Terrace on Station Road. The proposed development will also include the provision of private, communal, and public open spaces; internal roads and pathways with potential for future links to adjacent lands; pedestrian and cyclist routes; hard and soft landscaping and boundary treatments; waste storage; plant; signage; a new signalised access onto Station Road and road and footpath improvement works on Station Road and the R617 road; public lighting; 2no. new substations; all associated site development works; and all drainage and foul sewer infrastructure and network works, including nature-based SuDS measures. The planning application is accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR). The application may be inspected online at the following website: www.ringwoodphase1lrd.ie
Core Planning Reasoning
The Inspector recommended granting permission (Grant) because the development constitutes an acceptable density in an accessible urban location on zoned Tier 2 lands and, subject to conditions regarding building height reduction, would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area or jeopardize traffic safety.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed density of 40.2 dwellings per hectare is appropriate for this metropolitan town location and aligns with both local and national compact growth policies.
- The overbearing visual impact on the existing Woodville Terrace dwellings is successfully mitigated by a recommended condition to omit the top floors of Apartment Blocks A and B.
- The proposed active travel infrastructure, signalized junction on Station Road, and childcare provision are sufficient to support this phase of the Ringwood expansion area without causing unacceptable traffic or social infrastructure deficits.