Dec 22:
Annaghmore Removed from County Development Plan

The Annaghmore Action Group and its supporters are delighted that the proposal to include Annaghmore as a new town was unanimously rejected. We are particularly grateful to Councillors Kevin Murphy and Veronica Nevilee and Kathy Sinnott MEP for their help throughout. We also would like to thank the hundreds of members of the public who voiced their opposition in such large numbers.

Dec 7:
Public Reject Annaghmore

Click here to download report (7MB PDF)
A total of 549 submission were received from the public, statutory bodies and local authorities Of those 390 were opposed and 159 were in favour One submission opposing the development was signed by 420 people In his report the Manager outlines his view that: Of those submissions in favour including one from O'Flynn Construction Ltd and a body of the public, no new issues are identified which change the opinion of the Manager. Among the claims made were that nearby towns suffered "overcrowding". In the report strong objections to Annaghmore are noted as it would conflict with CASP and the effect it would have on population growth in the ring towns and its inconsistency with proper planning and development of the County. These were from: The follow Government Departments and Minsters also made submissions opposing the inclusion of Annaghmore in the Development Plan: The Manager concludes that inclusion of Annaghmore in the County Development plan as a new settlement would be: inconsistent with proper planning and sustainable development of the area and contrary to the statutory obligations of other Local Authorites in the area. It would also be contrary to policies and objectives of the Government or its Ministers and in conflict with conclusions of the Environmental Report. Generally in conflict with submissions and observations made to the Council in the recent public consultation. The Manager recommends that modifications be made to the proposed changes removing references to Annaghmore.

Our groups objections

We list the concerns of a local residents group in Ballinhassig/Innishannon area regarding the inclusion of a new town at Annaghmore comprising 1,500 houses and 3,000 people, on a site of 494 acres.

Inadequate transport:


View of Annaghmore - Click to enlarge
The inclusion of Annaghmore in the county development plan does not coordinate with the integrated transport system planned for the county up to and including 2020 therefore it can only be assumed that the inclusion of the Annaghmore development in the CDP will not support the strategic transport improvement corridor and will have serious negative implication for the future management of the transport planning process for Cork (City and County) thus impacting the strategic plans for economic development of the county and quality of life for its citizens.

Negative impact on surrounding region:


Annaghbeg, just below Annaghmore - Click to enlarge
We believe Annaghmore will have a negative impact on the surrounding towns of Bandon, Macroom and Kinsale to reach there target population and potential employment growth. We concur with the County Manager in expressing concern that there is no provision for a post-primary school education facility in the proposed development.

Inadequate infrastructure:

No provision or recommendation has been made for this town in the strategic planning of:

Flood threat:

Annaghmore and surrounding lands have already been identified as a 'vulnerable area' and the Owebnebue River as 'at Risk' by Cork County Council we believe that the settlement will have permanent devastating consequences for the environment and it is inappropriate to include the development at Annaghmore in the CDP. There is a long and documented history of flooding in this region, from Annaghmore down the Owenebue River to the estuary at Carrigaline.

Opinion Poll

Created — expires .

View Results

List of active polls.