Residents object to ‘hugely oversized’ apartment block and food market in Cork City

The proposed development by Dennehy’s Cross Construction consists of an apartment block up to five storeys containing 30 residential units as well as a food store on an existing 20th-century structure on the site which will be preserved.

It is proposed the former garage, which is located close to the Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, will be demolished as part of the redevelopment. The developer claims the site, which is currently used as a storage unit by a commercial insulation company, is “underutilised”.

The company, which is associated with property developer Brian McHugh, claimed its plans for the former car showroom were informed by the site’s planning history which includes a number of various applications which were refused planning permission.

In 1920, it had its plans for a larger scheme of 45 apartments on the same site rejected.

Following concerns raised by council planners about its latest application and its impact on views of the church’s cupola, the company revised its original plans for a four-storey block to a building that is part five-storey and part three-storey.

It claimed its revised scheme for the site represents “an opportunity to deliver a high-quality, appropriately scaled, quality residential development in an area of high demand”. 

The developer said it could also demonstrate that high-density schemes on underutilised brownfield sites are “a viable and realistic way of providing multi-unit developments” while also addressing the undersupply of housing in Cork City.

One of the appellants claims the proposed development is “hugely oversized”. The resident also expressed concern that a large increase in the number of residents in the area would result in an increase in noise and anti-social behaviour particularly as the apartments will be targeted at students. 

It was claimed that the lack of parking for residents of the apartments as well as customers of the shop and restaurant would lead to increased congestion and illegal parking levels.

A group formed to oppose the project, the Dennehy’s Cross Action Group, collected 124 signatures of local residents objecting to the scheme. The group claims the proposed structure, which it branded a “monstrosity”, is totally out of character with the area and would result in “a visual blight on this pleasant suburban streetscape”. 

However, Cork City Council concluded that subject to compliance with a number of conditions imposed as part of its decision to grant planning permission, the development would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area.

A ruling by An Bord Pleanála on the appeal is due by the end of September.