Planning permission has been granted for more the construction of more than 600 residential units in Glanmire, Co Cork under the Government’s fast-track planning system – the Strategic Housing Development system.
An Bord Pleanála granted planning to O’Flynn Construction for the construction of 608 residential units and a neighbourhood centre which includes a creche, retail/services, community building and school site at Ballinglanna, Glanmire.
The decision was made on 29 March - two and a half weeks earlier than scheduled (19 April) and is to date, the largest housing scheme granted by the Board and the first SHD application for a residential/housing development granted outside of Dublin.
O’Flynn Construction aims to deliver a mix of 496 terraced, semi-detached and detached houses ranging from two, three and four bedrooms in size, as well as 112 apartments in six separate blocks ranging from three to five storeys in height.
Construction is expected to commence this summer, with the first units going on sale early next year.
Managing Director of O’Flynn Construction Michael O’Flynn welcomed that "the Board has given an early grant of permission for Ballinglanna under the SHD process, and without any significant changes to the scheme, and we look forward to proceeding as quickly as possible with construction".
The Strategic Housing Development system allows developers to bypass local-authority planning processes for developments of more than 100 residential units, or blocks of 200 student bedspaces.
The system was introduced last year to address the housing shortage.
Ballinglanna has been zoned for residential development since 2005, but despite its zoning, previous proposals on the site had to go through the conventional planning process.
"Large residential schemes like Ballinglanna inevitably end up on appeal," said Michael O’Flynn, "so the new SHD process which allows applicants and third parties make their submissions directly to An Bord Pleanala is a welcome change and certainly can help address the housing crisis in a more appropriate and timely manner."
