Claims of ‘double charging’ over €678,400 roads upgrade.

A DEVELOPER who was granted planning permission to build 212 new homes in Bandon has lodged an appeal over one of the conditions.

Castle Rock Homes (Bandon) Ltd was granted permission by Cork County Council for the Largescale Residential Development (LRD) of 212 units at Knockbrogan.

Council planners gave the go-ahead subject to 55 conditions, but the company is appealing to An Coimisiùn Pleanála the condition requesting an upgrade of the Old Cork Road/Macroom Road junction in order to reduce traffic congestion costed at €678,400.

The company’s consultants welcomed the council’s decision but said a special contribution requirement is not justified and refers to works needed on the local road network, known as the Old Cork Road.

They said it was impossible for their client to commit to undertake the junction works without agreeing the scope first.

The works identified - junction improvements at Sean Hales Place (R586) and the Old Cork Road/Macroom Road Junction (R589) - are part of the existing public road network in Bandon.

A general development contribution has been levied under one planning condition for public infrastructure and facilities including roads but the developer said imposing additional special contributions results in ‘double-charging’.

In planning documents the developer’s team argue: ‘These improvements would benefit the wider community and are better viewed as general public infrastructure upgrades rather than solely addressing specific, exceptional needs linked to the proposed development.’

They said the €678,400 being levied on their client is a significant cost and pointed out that other significant housing developments to the north of the proposed junction works did not have levies imposed on them.

They said the total off-site development costs and works that should and normally would be undertaken and paid by the State amount to almost €3.5m.

Directors Tim Murray and John Daly said the company is being asked to bear €9,856 plus inflation per unit in costs that should and normally are paid by the State which is in addition to the standard council levies and Irish Water connection charges.

They said this is ‘unfair’ and an ‘impediment’ to the building of houses at a time when those houses are needed.

The planning authority received four observations including one from a person  who was concerned about the possibility of construction traffic accessing the site via their estate. 

Another said that large scale developments like this are ‘urgently necessary’ to offer more housing options.

While recognising the need for housing, Cllr Gillian Coughlan (FF) said what Bandon needs foremost is more social infrastructures including a swimming pool and an indoor sports complex.

‘Bandon town has grown very quickly over the last ten to 15 years... One size does not fit all and Bandon should offer larger family homes with gardens and facilities to lure people out of Cork city. The density rules should not apply to Bandon and the market needs a mix of housing.’