It rejected an appeal by a local pub owner against the plans by Ardarostig Developments for the development together with the demolition of existing sheds on the largely overgrown 1.6 hectare site which is located near the town’s community centre.

Subject to compliance with a number of planning conditions, the board said the proposed development would not seriously injure the residential amenities of other properties in the vicinity.

It said the project would not be detrimental to the character of the area and would be acceptable in terms of pedestrian and traffic safety.

The development will consist of five new buildings up to three storeys in height including one which will accommodate an anchor supermarket with an associated off-licence together with 32 apartments on its upper floors.

Other buildings will include a café, two retail units, and a pharmacy as well as either apartments or offices on upper floors.

Planning permission had previously been granted for a similar scheme but with a greater retail element of 10 shops in 2010 at the same location. However, that development never commenced, despite the extension of the duration of the planning permission in 2015. 

The appellant, Alan Maher, a director of the company operating D’Trap Bar on Main Street, Carrigtwohill, said the development would compromise the use and function of his property and business as well as endanger public safety.

Mr Maher complained that the proposed development also included a portion of his property, which was critical for his own business.

He also claimed it would result in disruption to his pub as well as lead to a diminution in the value of his property.

However, a planning inspector with An Bord Pleanála said that rather than lead to a diminution in the pub’s trading position, he believed it would be “quite the reverse.” 

The inspector said he was also satisfied that amenities and property values would not be adversely affected by the proposed development.

Separately, Ardarostig Developments appealed against a condition imposed by Cork County Council which required the developer to make a special contribution of €763,428 to the Carrigtwohill Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (CURDF) for exceptional costs not covered by the council’s general contribution scheme.

The company claimed such a condition was “unjustified” and it argued the public realm upgrades being funded by the CURDF were neither exceptional nor specific to the delivery of its project.

It said the condition came as a surprise and had “negative implications for the viability of constructing the scheme.” 

The developers claimed imposing the special contribution represented “a double charge” for financial contributions to the local authority.

They insisted they were still opposed to any special contribution being required after Cork County Council reduced the size of the special contribution to €536,168 following further assessment.

The planning inspector said he was not satisfied that a charge should be levied in relation to interim upgrade works at Cobh Cross as well as a charge for a shortfall of parking spaces.

An Bord Pleanála reduced the overall size of the special contribution to €351,668 which relates to upgrades to Main Street and Station Road as well as the development of a new link road in Carrigtwohill.