24/6036
A ten year Permission for the following Large Scale Residential Development (LRD) comprising of the construction of 469 no. residential units to include 305 no. dwelling houses (comprising a mix of 1,2,3 and 4 bed detached, semi-detached, townhouse/terraced and bungalow units) and 164 no. apartment/duplex units (comprising a mix of 1 and 2 bed units), 1 no. creche with a community room, part demolition and refurbishment of the former lodge to provide an interpretive centre and café and all associated ancillary development works including vehicular and pedestrian access (via the existing Castle Park residential estate), drainage, footpaths and cycle lanes, landscaping, amenity and open space areas, boundary treatments, bicycle and car parking, bin and bike storage, plant, public lighting and all other ancillary development at Castlepark, Castlelands (townland), St. Joseph’s Road, Mallow, Co. Cork. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been submitted to the planning authority with the application. The Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Natura Impact Statement will be available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy during office hours at the offices of the Local Authority. The application may be inspected online at the following website set up by the applicant: www.castlelandslrd.ie.
Core Planning Reasoning
The Inspector recommends a grant of permission as the proposed development constitutes an acceptable density for a designated 'Key Town', aligns with the core strategy and zoning objectives of the Cork County Development Plan 2022-2028, provides essential social infrastructure, and demonstrates that traffic impacts can be mitigated through site-specific infrastructure upgrades and sustainable transport measures.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development is consistent with national and local policy for compact growth, providing a net density of 36.9 dph which is appropriate for its location on the edge of Mallow.
- Traffic and accessibility issues raised by appellants are mitigated by the applicant's commitment to substantial infrastructure upgrades, including a new pedestrian/cyclist bridge and footpath improvements, facilitating modal shift.
- Environmental impacts, including those related to the Blackwater River SAC and local archaeology, have been comprehensively assessed via the EIAR and NIS, with the Inspector finding no significant adverse effects subject to mitigation.