McCutcheon Halley was part of a multidisciplinary team who obtained planning permission for the demolition and removal of an existing dwelling and ancillary structures and the construction of a mixed-use residential and commercial development comprising: 134 no. residential units in 12 no. 3-storey blocks, a 3-storey neighbourhood centre building which includes a restaurant/take-away, convenience retail, gym, dentist, physio, hairdressers and outdoor amenity at roof level; a creche; a 158 no. bed hotel which includes a swimming pool, gym, bar, café, restaurant and function room; a new entrance/signalised junction and improvements to the N27 including 2 no. bus stops, cycle lane and footpaths; and all associated ancillary development works at the Kinsale Road, Ballycureen, Cork.

The site is located on the N27 (Kinsale Road) between Cork’s City Centre and the Airport. With its 400m- street frontage, the site will significantly impact the appearance of one of the main entrances to the City from the south. It will also influence the perception of the new city boundary in the City’s south environs. The development was also influenced by the fact that some of Cork’s leading employers are located in close proximity to the site, generating demand for residential units for smaller households in the area.

The leading employers in proximity to the site are:

– Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)

– Cork University Hospital (CUH)

– University College Cork (UCC)

– Cork Airport

Acting as planning consultant and project lead, McCutcheon Halley was responsible for all planning-related matters from inception through to decision and prepared all planning application documentation including a Social Infrastructure Audit. McCutcheon Halley also prepares the Appropriate Assessment Screening Report and the Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Report.

Key Issues dealt with by McCutcheon Halley on behalf of the client included:

Advising on the new junction onto a National Road – MHP led design team meetings with the Planning Authority to ensure that the new junction onto a National Road was viable without impacting the scheme’s viability or surrounding land uses.

Direct engagement with the Planning Authority – MHP was the lead contact with the Planning Authority to ensure that all Council departments were satisfied with proposals in order to submit a robust proposal to the Planning Authority.

Result:

Appeals lodged were withdrawn and development was granted by Cork City Council August 2023.