An Coimisiún Pleanála has granted approval for a small apartment development intended to house asylum seekers and Ukrainian refugees on the outskirts of Macroom, Co Cork, despite objections from a local golf club that says the project could put its future “in serious danger.”
The Commission upheld Cork County Council’s earlier decision to approve the application from property developer Peppard Investments Limited to build 20 apartments beside the Macroom Golf Club course at Lower Codrum, Macroom, Co Cork, reports Breaking News.
Appeals lodged by the golf club and two nearby residents against the council’s approval were dismissed.
According to Peppard Investments, the apartments are needed to provide extra accommodation in support of a nearby facility it operates in the former Riverside Park Hotel, which currently houses international protection applicants, reports Breaking News.
An Coimisiún Pleanála concluded that the project would not significantly harm the residential or visual character of the surrounding area or its natural environment, provided several planning conditions are met.
Among these is a requirement that the apartments be occupied solely by international protection applicants and Ukrainian refugees, reports Breaking News.
The Commission further determined that the development would not pose risks to public health or traffic safety and would “contribute to the compact growth of the settlement.”
Cáit Breathnach, secretary of Macroom Golf Club, said members were worried about safety concerns due to the proximity of the apartments to the course, reports Breaking News.
Ms Breathnach stated that members believed a two-metre high fence would be inadequate protection, and they also raised concerns about the site’s drainage.
In its appeal, Macroom Golf Club argued that the location was “the wrong place for residential development” because it did not follow accepted planning principles of sequential development from town centres, reports Breaking News.
Celebrating its centenary this year, the club expressed fears that placing homes so close to the 13th hole was “like holding a candlelit procession in a gunpowder factory.”
It warned that stray golf balls could pose safety risks and financial burdens through higher insurance costs and possible litigation, reports Breaking News.
While stray balls have occasionally landed on the site before, the club said it had never caused issues previously because the area was an unused field.
The 750-member golf club described itself as “a true community facility” that now faces being “put in serious danger by the proposed development,” reports Breaking News.
It estimated that reorienting the 13th hole could cost up to €300,000, while installing protective netting might cost around €70,000.
“You can imagine otherwise what the cost of legal claims against the golf club could be,” it added, reports Breaking News.
“Such a wonderful facility – built on land still owned by the people of Macroom – should not be put at risk for the sake of poor housing provision 2km from the centre of the town and without bus connections,” the club said.
The club added that it was reasonable to use “a failing hotel” to accommodate international protection applicants when demand was high, but building a new standalone facility in an unsuitable location was “another matter entirely,” reports Breaking News.
It also maintained that it had legally acquired access rights across the development site.
Peppard Investments, in response, argued that the golf club had a duty to operate safely and avoid striking golf balls that could endanger residents, reports Breaking News.
The developer rejected the club’s claims of having an easement or right-of-way across the land.
The appellants also raised concerns about the adequacy of Macroom’s public water supply, warning that the new development could increase pressure on local infrastructure, reports Breaking News.
In a 46-page assessment, a planning inspector with An Coimisiún Pleanála found it unlikely that the apartments would disrupt golf course operations, citing differences in ground level, existing vegetation, and proposed fencing.
The inspector said the scheme made efficient use of underutilised infill land and would promote “a compact urban form,” reports Breaking News.
She concluded that nearby residential amenities would be safeguarded and that there was no convincing evidence of a legally recognised right-of-way through the site.
The inspector added that any potential easement claim by the golf club was a civil issue and noted that no supporting proof had been submitted, reports Breaking News.
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