A CONTROVERSIAL application by Cork County Council to build 21 affordable housing units at Old Barrack Road in Bantry, with no parking, was discussed in private by Council officials and councillors on Monday, a decision which has been criticised by some local businesspeople.
The development involves the reuse of a vacant building on a brownfield site, and is intended for those on the housing list.
The Council says it’s within walking distance of the town centre and has a footpath, and so no on-site parking will be provided.
However, while welcoming the ‘valuable addition’ of housing for the town, several members of the business community raised concerns on this parking decision, and made a submission to the Council on these concerns.
On Monday, the monthly West Cork Municipal District meeting was scheduled for 11am.
But at 10.30am, the matter was discussed privately among the elected councillors ‘in committee’ for 45 minutes. The press was admitted to the meeting at 11.16am and the monthly meeting then properly began at 11.27am, and finished at 11.49am.
Although the housing development at Old Barrack Road was listed as an item for discussion on the meeting agenda, the only mention of it at the public part of the meeting was that it was now going go a full Council meeting – which will be on Monday March 10th.
Speaking with The Southern Star after the meeting, a spokesperson for the group of concerned traders said they were ‘shocked and disappointed’ that the discussion was held ‘without public or press access’.
‘We would like to know who decided against a full and public discussion on the impacts of this development on Bantry town?’ they asked.
‘While we are sure there is no intention to conceal anything, the lack of public discourse prevents us from understanding the Council’s plans for such a significant development,’ the spokesperson added.
‘We understand that the full Council will vote on this issue, but we are concerned that our concerns as business owners and local residents regarding the lack of parking provision may not be fully discussed at the meeting. We fear it may simply be a vote, without public discussion,’ the spokesperson concluded.
A Council statement said: ‘Approval is a reserved function of the Council. The chief executive’s report in relation to the project, which was prepared following the public consultation process, will be considered at the meeting due to take place on Monday 10th March 2025.
‘The report will be circulated to all members of the Council in advance of this meeting.
While there is no statutory requirement to do so, it is established practice to brief the local MD members at an in-committee meeting in advance of a Part 8 being considered at full Council. This is what took place on Monday morning.’ A Part 8 application is where the Council itself is seeking planning permission for a development.
Meanwhile, The Southern Star notes that in the past other Part 8 matters, for example the recent briefing about the Bantry Culvert Scheme, were discussed when the press was present at meetings of the West Cork Municipal District.
Monday’s local district meeting was held in Dunmanway, and the full Council meeting, where councillors will consider the Bantry housing on Monday next, will be held in County Hall in Cork city.
