Planning Permission Granted for Cork Housing Scheme with Sales Restrictions
The newly approved Cork housing scheme must sell homes only to individual buyers, preventing bulk purchases and encouraging affordable access.
Cork County Council has granted planning permission for a development of 102 new residences in Mallow, highlighting a significant step forward in addressing local housing needs. The plans include a mix of houses and apartments on a 4.23-hectare greenfield site near Annabella Park. The development comprises 36 three-bedroom homes and 66 apartments with one to three bedrooms spread across two- to three-storey buildings, plus a two-storey creche and associated infrastructure.
The council imposed a key condition to restrict sales exclusively to individual purchasers rather than corporate or bulk buyers. This measure aims to ensure that housing supply benefits residents directly, supporting a balanced housing market and helping alleviate affordability challenges. Specifically, the homes must be sold to individual homeowners or those eligible for social or affordable housing, including cost-rental schemes. This aligns with the council’s intention to maintain an adequate choice of housing as part of the common good.
During the planning process, the council raised concerns related to traffic volume, site access, and utility capacity for water and wastewater services. To address these, the applicant provided further information on sustainable transport options, ecology, and bicycle parking provisions. After a detailed review, the council recommended approval with the condition on sales restrictions, emphasizing the importance of preventing material contravention in meeting housing policy objectives.
The development’s proximity to Mallow train station, approximately a 12-minute walk away, offers residents enhanced connectivity to broader transport networks. This aspect supports sustainable living and reduces dependence on private vehicles, aligning with environmental impact considerations often scrutinized in An Bord Pleanála decisions and flood-risk development assessments.
This housing scheme approval reflects Cork’s ongoing efforts to increase residential supply under broader national and local housing strategies. Cork City Council’s housing programme and the government’s Housing for All initiative underscore priorities for social, affordable, and mixed-tenure housing delivery. Projects like this Mallow development contribute to those targets while embedding policy safeguards to ensure equitable access to new homes.
Key points of the approved plan include:
- 102 new homes comprising houses and various apartment sizes
- Sales restricted to individual buyers or eligible social/affordable housing occupants
- Traffic, access, and utility concerns addressed with supplementary information
- Inclusion of sustainable transport features and ecological considerations
- Strategic site location encouraging connectivity and reducing environmental impact
By enforcing these conditions, Cork County Council safeguards the quality and accessibility of housing in Mallow, preventing speculative bulk purchases that could limit opportunities for individual homebuyers. This approach demonstrates a practical application of planning permission standards balancing development needs and community interests.
Originally reported in Irish Examiner on Fri, 05 Dec 2025 08:22:01 +0000. Full story
