Description of Area
Building Typology
1.206 This ACA is focussed on the central section of Melbourn Avenue. A suburb developed during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Over time, education buildings such CIT (built 1977), Bishopstown Community School (built 1979), and Scoil an Sprioraid Naoimh Primary School (opened 1964), were built around Melbourn Road. The estate was originally built as a cul de sac from Curraheen Road. In 1979 this was opened onto Rossa Avenue to connect Curraheen Road and the Model Farm Road.
1.209 The houses are characterised by a mid-century modernist design with horizontal windows, overhanging eaves, brick and cedar cladding, gable fronted (for detached dwellings), with pebbledash render to the sides and rear.
Issues
1.210 Currently there is an open-plan character to this sub-urban landscape, however increasingly residents are defining property boundaries through the use of fencing or hedging. This will negatively affect the overall character and original design vision for the estate. New fences appear to be generally along the Melbourn Avenue, which is subject to heavy traffic, often over the speed limit, with 2 road traffic fatalities in the recent past. The erection of boundary fences is not generally subject to planning permission requirements as they are at the side or rear of the dwellings however, they do have a negative impact on the open-plan character of the estate. Improved speed limiting measures (electric signs, speed bumps etc) could reduce traffic speed and as a result may remove the desire for boundary fences. The layout and elevations of the dwellings are part of an overall modernist architectural scheme intrinsic to the character of the estate.
1.207 An estate of 132 houses, designed by Cork
architect, Denis Higgins (d.2001) based on a new style of open-plan, sub-urban design, Higgins had spent 4 years in Boston, America during the 1960s (Woburn is a city 9 miles north of Boston. Beverley is also in Massachusetts). He was also the designer of Janeville Blackrock Road. This contrasted with the earlier development of 1965 which was not open plan (Frank Murphy Architects) on what was then Hawkes Estate by builders Cotters of Douglas.
Statement of Character
1.208 This is a clearly identifiable modernist, sub-urban landscape characterised by the lack of boundary walls between the properties giving an open, spacious character, quite unique in the city. The houses are a mix of semi-detached and detached homes, surrounded by lawn laid out in a staggered pattern to allow an element of privacy between properties. The area is also defined by well- established mature trees planted on the corners of each property either singularly or often in groups of threes for smaller species.
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Cork City Draft Development Plan 2022-2028
Volume 3 I Part 1
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