Championing the development of Glanmire as a ‘sustainable town’ within Cork City

This submission is further to the earlier submission made in the ‘Pre-Plan Public Consultation’ stage championing the development of Glanmire as a ‘sustainable town’ within Cork City. Please see the attached map proposing land at the bottom of Barnavara Hill be developed as medium-high density mixed-type housing. The many merits of this development are as follows:

•    It is within 5 minutes’ walk of Glanmire town centre (Hazelwood area) – there is a public pedestrian route from this land to Hazelwood shopping centre
•    It has independent vehicular access to the City Centre via Old Youghal road access and the Dublin road via Ballincrossig access
•    It will be a gateway access for pedestrians and cyclists to the newly proposed Regional Park between Glanmire and Mayfield – ref the proposed 1 square kilometre of ‘Public Open Space’
•    The close proximity of medium-high density residences will drive the further organic growth and sustainability of Glanmire town centre – businesses, schools, public transport, cafes, shops, community centre, public houses etc.
•    Being within 10 minutes pedestrian access to St. Joseph’s National school (800 pupils) and Glanmire Community College (11,00 pupils), Blooklodge and New Inn national schools and Coláiste an Phiarsaig secondary school will keep school related traffic to a minimum.
•    The location of this development facilitates 'sustainable living' – this is essential in the current code red Climate Emergency
•    The provision of this development will help alleviate the current Housing Crisis – helping to meet the recent government national goal of 33,000 new houses per year for 10 years – and it will put residences in a ‘Green friendly’ sustainable location. The site is available for immediate provision of social, affordable and private housing - apartments and houses one bedroom to four bedroom, creche, cafe, games and green areas included.
•    The current use of the land is intensive agriculture – there will be no adverse impact on biodiversity or woodlands
•    The land while close to Glanmire town centre is on medium elevated ground and so is not subject to flooding and there is no impact to local rivers
•    All services are available at site boundary with plenty of capacity and no additional pumping or piping requirement
•    This proposed site will be close to newly developed cycle ways, pedestrian ways and parks and the main Glanmire bus stop. An additional bus stop can be provided for the proposed Mayfield bus route. There is no requirement for new bus routes or other public infrastructure.
•    The 3 big supermarkets Supervalu, LIDL and ALDI are all with 10 minutes’ walk of the proposed development
•    ‘No-car’ or ‘one-car’ households will be a realistic expectation on this development given the close proximity to main bus routes and cycle-ways and local services
•    The development will provide additional straight-through medium-gradient access for Castlejane Woods and Crawfords Woods residences to Glanmire town centre, schools, GAA pitches etc.