Massive Whitebarn Development About To Roll
By Christy Parker
Bord Pleanala has granted planning permission for the first phase of a building project that will see over almost properties being built on 69 acres at Whitebarn. The initial phase will see 298 houses constructed on approximately 36 acres at Upper Cork Hill/Sweetfield. It comprises three detached, 122 semi-detached, 101 terraced and 34 duplex houses plus 34 duplex and four regular apartments. The Bord granted permission having considered one, third-party objection. Work is expected to commence in the coming months.
The massive development is a joint venture between McInerney Construction and landowner Gerry Russell, whose own home, at some stage, will likely be demolished to conform with planning aesthetics. It will stretch from Whitebarn to the Dungourney Road near Cock & Bull and permits 9% detached houses, 42% semi-detached, 26% terraced 8% duplex and 14% apartments, plus car parking, play areas, shopping, surgeries, crèches, green space, landscaping and, as the landowner says, “all sorts of businesses.” While Youghal Town Council approves the master plan, future construction will require additional planning application.
The target market will be blue collar, second or third time buyers for the predominantly four and five bedroom houses. At current estimates, prices will range from €200,000 to €600,000, with the higher ranges affording panoramic harbour views.
The former garage owner is delighted that work can start on the project two years on from the first planning application. “I agree with the Council that staggered development is better for Youghal,” he says. “And I welcome it on that basis, though I’ll make less profit than had a singular application succeeded. I love Youghal and I want what is best for it.”
As well as creating hundreds of construction jobs, he says development costs will ensure ” millions for the Town Council,” towards considerable infrastructural requirements, like roads and sewerage services. “The town needs to be opened up anyway,” he muses. “We already need a road from the water tower to the GAA grounds to relieve the traffic on Cork Hill.”
Coincidental benefits are not foremost in the Fine Gael proponent’s mind. He is fully aware that detractors, cynics, pessimists, begrudgers, along with environmentalists and traditionalists, view this venture as they would a swarm of malaria-plagued mosquitoes in a nursery. He can only try to head them off at the pass as he passionately insists the addendum of this mini-town is a passport to prosperity for Youghal and that it delights him. “It will greatly benefit my family and I and I don’t mind admitting that, but I am totally convinced it will have huge benefits for Youghal too. Regardless of what anyone might say, that means a hell of a lot to me.”
His reasoning colours a broad canvass. “Youghal needs a population of about 15,000,” he begins. “This development will attract people” He dismisses the notion that it might further supplement vast commuter traffic for the N25. “No. People will invest their lives in the town and use local services and so on. Out of that will come small businesses and if you have commerce and choice people will spend at home and create even more commercial opportunities.”
He claims to know “a lot of people who would love to live in Youghal but can’t get the kind of house they want. But now they will.” Furthermore, “Youghal offers very good value”, with prices for similar houses in Midleton costing “up to €70,000 more and double their price in Cork.”
Thus it’s not just the volume of house buyers that inspires him, but their class. “These will be houses for buyers, not free. Youghal has a stigma as ‘a social welfare town’ and we have to get rid of that. There’s an old saying in business: “The more money passes through your hand, the more sticks to your fingers.”
Mr. Russell sees the development as a chain linking this ready market to existing attractions. Alongside our God-given gift of heavenly scenery (the occasional obnoxious smell notwithstanding!), the landowner reels off a menu of activities and enticements as selling points, concluding enthusiastically that, “we have the best sports facilities in Ireland.” To suggest the possibility of the Midleton railway line returning is to pour cream on the man’s helping of positive pie. As the bulldozers inch closer that pie is no longer in the sky. And Gerry Russell believes Youghal will thank him for the feast.
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