Tricia O

Dismissing privacy concerns of bus stop outside a house as an “annoyance” means planning decision is “legally defective” — High Court A High Court Judge ruled yesterday that An Bord Pleanála "significantly mischaracterised" serious concerns of privacy and security relating to a bus stop being placed outside a house without a front garden or wall, as just an “annoyance”, means that the planners' decision to reject those concerns was "legally defective". When Áine Kelly of Artane Cottages Lower on the Malahide Road, initiated the judicial review proceedings against part of the National Transport Authorty's Clongriffin to City Centre Bus Corridor Scheme, she stated that she and her neighbours are in favour of the BusConnects project but objected to the removal of two existing bus stops and the replacement of the two with one stop outside her home.

Dismissing privacy concerns of bus stop outside a house as an “annoyance” means planning decision is “legally defective” — High Court

A High Court Judge ruled yesterday that An Bord Pleanála "significantly mischaracterised" serious concerns of privacy and security relating to a bus stop being…

Week ending 20/09/2025 #CorkCraneCount: 14. No change. Doesn’t look like much but work is well underway at the former CMP site. Cairn Homes. I think the general public are going to be surprised by the scale of this project. Currently working on southern end of site.

Why are we using arable land for solar farms when new rooftops are bare? @irishexaminer.bsky.social publishes piece I did on disconnected thinking #Ireland #Spéirghorm on solar energy - where new buildings, both commercial and homes, going up everyday without solar panels. #energy #climate #housing

Short Section of the N73 between Mitchelstown & Mallow

Top affordable STEM upskilling courses for careers in 2025 For modern careers in 2025 there are a number of educational opportunities open to professionals via free and inexpensive courses.

Cost shouldn’t be a deterrent to furthering your career, so why not consider a financially flexible course as part of your professional development?

Approval for 800 new social homes in Cork city Funding for the homes, which number 823 in total, will come as part of a Government allocation worth €700m, which was announced last week.

www.echolive.ie/corknews/ari...

Longueville House #Mallow #Cork c1913 #LoveCork #PureCork #CorkLike B&W📸NLI flic.kr/p/2ixpSjD

Major Night-Time Closures Planned for Kinsale Road Roundabout Throughout August Kinsale Road Roundabout closes nightly 20:30-05:30 from 5-29 Aug for resurfacing. Check diversions before travelling.

Kinsale Road Roundabout closes nightly 20:30-05:30 from 5-29 Aug for resurfacing. Check diversions before travelling. csalert.ie/3UsI4jr

#CorkTraffic Reports of a collision on the R620 near Dromore Hill/Mallow Pump House. Emergency services are en route. Take care on approach.

Week ending 26/07/2025 #CorkCraneCount: 13. No change. Third planning application for old Colliseum site (and second by Premier Inn since they bought the site) was lodged this week.

The Tailor's Cottage, Derrynabrack, Tuosist, Kenmare, Co. Kerry is for sale on Daft.ie The Tailor's Cottage, Derrynabrack, Tuosist, Kenmare, Co. Kerry a 3 Bed Detached is now for sale by John Daly on Daft.ie with an asking price of €100,000

www.daft.ie/for-sale/hou... “3 bedroom house” ??? #daft indeed!

YouTube video by Oliver Moran Horgan’s Quay redevelpment

A public consultation is open now on the redevelopment of Horgan's Quay — for housing, public transport and amenities.

The redevelopment will re-align the the existing road, opening up space for new parks and active travel routes.

ℹ️ consult.corkcity.ie/en/consultat...

Leap card flat fare introduction is 'real win' for Cork city The new fare is part of the first phase of a wider overhaul of Cork’s public transport and pricing structure

The introduction of a 90 minute Leap Card flat fare for passengers on Cork city buses which will be operational from next month has been described as a “real win for the city” by Green Party councillor, Honoré Kamegni.

Updated Design Standards for Apartments, Cost Considerations July 2025 The Land Development Agency (LDA) provided advice to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) in respect of the potential cost savings of individual measures to be included in the updated Design Standards for Apartments, Guidelines for Planning Authorities. It is emphasised that these costs do not apply cumulatively to all units in all developments. Some apply to individual units and others may apply to the scheme as a whole, but each will depend on unit mix and other considerations. They are generalised total gross development costs, which include all hard and soft costs and VAT. Apartment Mix The new Guidelines enable greater flexibility in overall unit mix. It was advised that the current difference in market delivery cost between a studio and a 1-bedroom unit is generally +€30,000; between a 3-person and 4-person 2-bedroom unit is generally +€40,000; and between a 4-person and 5-person 3-bedroom unit is generally +€30,000. The new floor area provisions for studio apartments will further increase the difference by at €11,000-€13,500 for that unit type, increasing the cost difference for a studio to more than €41,000. Enabling the provision of a greater proportion of studio; 3-person 2-bedroom and 4-person and 3-bedroom units in a scheme, will reduce the cost of each unit of each type provided by €30,000-€41,000. Apartment Floor Area The new Guidelines reduce the requirement for a majority of apartments in a scheme that must exceed the minimum apartment floor areas by a min. of 10%, to at least 25%.

It was advised that based on a 100-unit scheme (LDA mix) and an area reduction of 375m2, the cost reduction applicable in achieving minimum areas is between €8,000-€10,000 per home. There is also potential to add c.6 extra apartments for the same floor area. Based on the same consideration and also omitting all 3B5P apartments in a typical LDA mix in a 100-unit apartment block and with an area reduction of 500m2, the cost reduction applicable would be €10,000 to €14,000 per home. There is also potential to add c.8 extra apartments for the same floor area. This input is based on a full omission scenario, whereas the final Guidelines reduce the standard by half that, from just over 50% to 25%, so the saving would be c€4,000-€7,000 across a typical development of 100 units. Dual Aspect The new Guidelines reduce the minimum requirement for apartments to be dual aspect, from 33-50% to at least 25% of units in a development. A higher proportion of dual aspect units, places increased pressure on building efficiencies, floor area, building fabric and cost: Scenario 1 illustrates an 'offset' in block configuration to maximise dual aspect. This leads to an increase in façade area and an increase in cost of €6,000 on affected apartments (i.e. for the affected unit - not a saving per unit), with loss to efficiency and constructability. [floor plan included]

Scenario 2 illustrates a typical 2B4P 'thru-dual aspect' apartment, with an area of 80.5sqm, which is 7.5 sqm larger than the minimum 2B4P apartment size of 73sqm, adding an additional cost of circa €15,000- €20,000 (i.e. for the affected unit - not a saving per unit). [floorplan included] While a wide range, the potential the saving would be in the region of €6,000 to €15,000-€20,000, for each affected unit. Stair Cores The new Guidelines omit the requirement for a maximum of 12 apartments per floor per lift/stair core. A stair core including lift shaft costs approx. €8,000-10,000/unit based on 12 units per floor per core. Building regulations, site specifics and operational effectiveness of layouts are the main drivers of core locations, which will also relate to unit size and mix. Capacity to omit 1 in 3 stair cores would reduce the cost per unit by one-third and to omit 1 in 4 stair cores, would reduce the cost per unit by one-quarter. This could amount to €2,000-€3,000 per unit across a whole scheme.

Balconies circumstances. The new Guidelines enable up to 50% of balconies to be omitted, in particular The cost of the most efficient balcony type - a protuding balcony - ranges from €11,000 for 5sqm to €13,000 for 7sqm. (This may only be realised if balconies are not deployed on a unit) The cost of recessed/inset balconies is higher, as the aggregate cost of a recessed balcony is €20,000-€22,000. (Again, this may only realised if balconies are not required on a unit). The saving could range from €11,000-€22,000 per unit, where applicable. Delivery of Community and other Provision The new Guidelines preclude the imposition of mandatory community and/or cultural floorspace, on an individual development basis. Delivery of community infrastructure can cost in the range of c.€10,000-15,000 per unit but is heavily dependent on specifics of the scheme and the needs of the location.

Department of Housing has today issued “Cost Considerations” aka a breakdown of the claimed €50-100,000 cost savings, by reducing apartment standards. 1/2

Vehicles parked on the green median.

"Oh look, a green area, that must the the parking spot". #Speirgorm

Fake Dunnes Stores Website Targeting Irish Shoppers with Convincing Scam Fake Dunnes Stores website scamming Irish shoppers with 80% off deals.

Fake Dunnes Stores website scamming Irish shoppers with 80% off deals. csalert.ie/4lpIuT7

Did you know that reading to children helps them build empathy? It’s true. And right now there’s so many reports and studies about how people read less, and read less to kids, and it seems like a time we need more empathy. So please read to the children in your life!

As someone who nearly drowned in a crowded water park with life guards staring at me the entire time, I heartily endorse this article. The victim cannot speak or wave their arms. The only thing you can do is keep your head up to breathe. My daughter swam up and asked me what I was doing. When

'Village within a city': Proposals for Cork city area include one-way streets and a new park Following the consultation process, the scheme is expected to be brought before councillors later this year, with an aim to begin construction in ...

www.echolive.ie/corknews/ari... This is a brilliant scheme that deserves full support. Send in a positive submission once open!

Extensions for elderly could be exempt from planning Attic conversions and extensions for the purpose of housing elderly relatives could be exempt from planning before the end of the year, Minister for Housing James Browne will tell the Cabinet.

Attic conversions and extensions for the purpose of housing elderly relatives could be exempt from planning before the end of the year, Minister for Housing James Browne will tell the Cabinet

Threshold on RPZs and what comes next 02/05/25

Interesting read on Ireland’s RPZ rent control measures @mickbyrne.bsky.social
Ehttps://open.substack.com/pub/theweekinhousing/p/threshold-on-rpzs-and-what-comes?r=4676g6

Cork City Council Unveils Major North Docks Redevelopment Plans Cork City Council reveals major North Docks redevelopment plans featuring waterfront space, two urban parks and improved cycling facilities.

Cork City Council reveals major North Docks redevelopment plans featuring waterfront space, two urban parks and improved cycling facilities. csalert.ie/3Slfz66

The case was proven last year. The operator was given an opportunity to find a way of working that did not unlawfully interfere. When that did not happen, the Court stepped in again.
Here is last year's judgement, laying out the history, the law and the verdict.
www.courts.ie/viewer/pdf/4...

Fab! More of this please at the Port of Cork city centre! #Cork ♥️

Protected structures so often not adequately maintained & left to collapse. ABP Planning granted to Tower Dev with Port of Cork listed as owner March 21 for redevelopment incl conservation of warehouses in limbo? How to go forward? public use similar to Elizabeth Fort? a key part of city heritage.

it’s a difficult building to reuse due to its internal layout but it has or had presence & personality, not to mention the history . Can’t it just be treasured - the outside space could be used creatively. Apologies for the sad drama!

I’ve watched these fall into decay since I was a child. It breaks my heart that the beautiful curvaceous roof & stone structures were allowed fall apart. The site is an iconic location as you arrive by water at the city centre from Cork’s great harbour. Shame on everyone who allowed this to happen.

New ferry service announced for Cork city and harbour The company is currently in discussions with Cork City Council, Cork County Council and the Port of Cork in developing the zero-emissions initiative.

This is great News for the Cork Harbour area.
Can't wait for this.
www.echolive.ie/corknews/ari...