A plan by the Cork-based O'Flynn Construction company to build a €200 million residential and leisure complex at the historic Dunkathel House at Glanmire in Co Cork has proven controversial with some people in the local area.

The development is currently the subject of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

Three parties - Glounthaune Community Association, Mitchel Barry, and Barry and Joan Murphy - have opposed the planning permission granted by Cork County Council for the venture.

O'Flynn Construction, which purchased the 146-acre demesne two years ago for some €24 million, is proposing a 600-unit residential project which also incorporates a high-tech equestrian centre, a horticultural centre, an outdoor exhibition area and car-parking zones.

The residential element would comprise a mix of two and three-storey terraced housing, as well as semi-detached and detached housing.

The proposal is also to restore and conserve Dunkathel House, which was built around 1790, and convert it into a visitor centre, and to establish a riding school, a garden centre, shops and a crèche on the grounds of the estate.

However, Glounthorne Community Association says it has concerns that infrastructure in the area - including the Jack Lynch Tunnel - is insufficient to cope with increased traffic from the development and says it is not confident that the long term future of Dunkathel House is safeguarded.

It says that the local community has been left out of consultations over the development.

"Fifteen conditions of planning permission have been left by Cork County Council to be subsequently agreed with the developer, which has excluded the community," says the chairman of the association Philip Mullally.

He says that the density of the development shows little respect for the house and its setting.

Mr Mullally also said that he doesn't believe the proposal to turn the house into a visitor centreis viable.

"Glanmire is a small village with little or no amenities. The bypass freed it of heavy traffic but this development will choke it up again."

Dunkathel House was previously owned by the Russell family who disposed of the property after failing to secure sufficient support to develop it as a luxury hotel and leisure complex.

A late 18th century neo-classical mansion, it was built on high ground overlooking the Lee estuary by a wealthy Cork merchant, Abraham Morris.

It has a two-storey, nine-bay centre block joined by screen walls with wings extending back to form a courtyard.

The architect is thought to have been Hargreave, a pupil of the Sardinian architect Davis Ducart who was responsible for Lota House and Kilshannig.

It has a finely proportioned interior with Adam chimneypieces and a particularly elegant staircase of Bath stone.

It also contains a unique collection of Victorian watercolours by Beatrice Gubbins, a former owner and resident of the house which is on public display on the first floor.