Writes Ciaran Dineen
Astra Construction Services Limited have applied for planning permission to Cork County Council as part of the third phase of development at Janeville, Carrigaline.
The proposal will see the construction of an additional 98 residential units to the scheme, which if granted will bring the total number of housing units in Janeville to 701 between permitted and proposed phases.
The latest application also includes plans to construct a two-storey creche, which will accommodate 100 children as part of development. This would be considered a necessary part of the permission given the large number of overall units as part of the wider scheme.
According to the planning statement provided by consultants HW Planning, the development “includes the construction of the final section of the east/west Janeville spine road which will link with the Rock Road to the east.”
The statement later goes on to suggest that the design of these latest plans incorporates future aims to link Carrigaline with Ringaskiddy as part of the Greenway strategy. It states that the creation of a new 4 metre wide greenway along the route of the former railway/line will represent the first “dedicated section” of the proposals, which “will also form part of the wider pedestrian/cyclist/ amenity strategy at Janeville by linking to the 4,5 metre amenity path to the east.”
Previous planning permissions were granted in 2016, 2020 and 2021, with Astra Construction Services Limited currently having the authority to construct 603 residential units. The additional 98 now being applied for consists of a mix no. 32, 2 and 3-bed townhouses, no. 60, 3 and 4-bed semi-detached houses and no. 6, 4 and 5-bed detached dwellings. According to HW Planning, the proposed mix of housing “will promote a vibrant and active community with family-orientated dwellings having direct access to the greenway”.
A concern around the current development of the site has been the lack of places for children living in the estate to play and interact, with limited green spaces and opportunities to socialise evident. The Planning and Design Statement compiled by Deady Gahan Architects would appear to seek to rectify this by indicating that “a kick about area will be provided within the central open space to provide a recreational area for all ages”. Moreover, in terms of the general impact on public realm for the area, the design statement adds that the proposed layout “provides varied public spaces, these spaces allow for social interactions and community creation. Large open spaces have play areas for younger groups and family integrations, these serve as node points to orientate occupants/visitors.”
Additional vehicular access to the site will be provided aside from the existing link via the Cork Road. An extension of the link road to the south will include two separate entrances, one providing access to the residential section and one providing a route to the proposed creche.
Submissions to the planning application can be made up until May 16th, with a decision to be made on the proposals on June 7th.