An Bord Pleanála uphold planning decision
An Bord Pleanála has upheld a decision made by Cork City Council to refuse planning permission to build 92 units at Bessborough.
Cork City Council refused planning permission in January 2023 for an application made by MWB Two Ltd in November 2022.
This was because of the proposed development’s height, scale, design and relationship to the historic landscape in which it sits.
It said this “would result in isolated residential blocks in a protected landscape within the curtilage of a protected structure, and would comprise haphazard development which would detract from the character of the area which is designated as an area of high landscape value in the Cork City Development Plan.
“The development as proposed, would, therefore be contrary to objectives 6.13, 8.19 and 8.20 in the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”
However, in its appeal, MWB Two Ltd said the proposed development “has had full regard to the planning history of the site and the evolving character of development in the area. It does not, therefore, constitute haphazard development and will not result in isolated residential blocks in a protected landscape.”
An Bord Pleanála this month decided to uphold the council’s decision to refuse planning.
It said it is considers that it would be “premature to grant permission for the proposed development prior to establishing if there is a children's burial ground located within the site and the extent of any such burial ground”.
An Bord Pleanála also considered that the proposed development, notwithstanding the revised scheme submitted with the grounds of appeal, “would result in isolated residential blocks which would be visually obtrusive within the curtilage and adversely affect the character and setting of the protected structure and the associated folly which sits within a Landscape Protection Zone, and would comprise haphazard, piecemeal development which would dominate this historic landscape and detract from the character of the landscape which is designated as an area of high landscape value in the current Cork City Development Plan.”
The full report is available on pleanala.ie.
Following news of the decision, campaigner Carmel Cantwell said on X: “We need to honour all those that died who weren’t afforded the dignity of a marked grace with their mothers present. We need to show now how much we care.”
She said she wants to see a place the whole community can enjoy and reflect and never forget what happened. She also said on X that she believes babies were buried “throughout the grounds and not in one particular area”.
Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy said it’s time for the Government to intervene in Bessborough to help to develop a memorial section along with survivors groups.