PLANNING PERMISSION FOR 266 HOMES IN CORK
An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission to the Land Development Agency for the re-development of St Kevin’s Hospital in Cork city.
The green light has now been given to develop 266 homes, an enterprise centre and crèche facilities at the site at Shanakiel. The LDA said it will be social and affordable housing and will consist of a mix of town houses and duplex apartments including one, two, three and four bedroomed homes.
Permission was granted by An Bord Pleanála subject to conditions which include provisions governing the proposed restoration of Saint Kevin’s Hospital, a protected structure to be carried out under Architectural Heritage Protection guidelines.
The former mental hospital is to be renovated and provide 60 apartments, a crèche on the ground floor, and a new Enterprise Office in the former chapel building.
Conditions also include an overall Construction Management Plan for the prominent site, as well as the retention of an archaelogist, and provision of plans governing waste mangement, lighting, parking and work hours during construction.
An Bord Pleanála said it gave consideration to the location of the site in a well established urban area, the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness 2016 and the policies set out in the Cork City Development Plan.
This is the second LDA project to get planning permission, the first in Cork. The decision has been welcomed by Cork City Council CEO Ann Doherty, who said she expects it to be the first of many sites to be developed by the LDA in Cork.
Denise Maguire Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine