The Irish Georgian Society has expressed concern over the impact a proposed multi-million euro residential and commercial development will have on Dunkettle Estate, near Glanmire in Co Cork.
O'Flynn Construction has applied for planning permission to build 626 houses, a riding school, a visitor and garden centre, shops, a creche and car-parks on the site.
The society's planning officer, Mr Donough Cahill, said the construction of the residential units will undoubtedly alter the rural nature of Dunkettle and diminish its setting.
Dunkettle is a magnificent 18th century house built in a Palladian style for Abraham Morris, a wealthy Cork merchant.
The house replaced an earlier building which is recalled by a frieze of rococo plasterwork in a service building to the rear of the main block.
Mr Cahill said every effort must be made to ensure that the development, though dramatically altering the demesne, will work to maximise the conservation of the house, its setting and its historic character. "We are not objecting to the development per se but we do have areas of concern.
"It is unfortunate that the lands have been zoned for this development," said Mr Cahill.
"We do have issues with the car-parking. We are afraid that it will impact on the setting.
"The walled garden associated with Dunkettle also forms an integral part of its identity.
"Though the gardens currently lie derelict, the society strongly feels that this should not provide reason for their intensive redevelopment."
The society claims the construction of terraced housing will forever alter Dunkettle's character.
On a more positive note, however, Mr Cahill says successful precedents have been set for the restoration of historic walled gardens with the works at Kylemore Abbey in Galway and Marlay Park in Dublin being of particular note.
"These gardens are being run as tourist amenities and demonstrate the potential for the walled gardens in Dunkettle to act as a further draw to the house."
A spokesman for O'Flynn Construction said yesterday that the company planned to carry out the Dunkettle development in a manner sympathetic to the character of the area.
He added that every effort had been made to consult with members of the public to ensure that the development was considered to be a positive one.
Meanwhile, residents in Glounthane have lodged objections to the planned development as they believe it will increase congestion on the roads in the area.
Glounthane Community Association estimate that if Cork County Council grants permission to allow the development to proceed as planned, the number of journeys on the Dunkettle Road will increase by 3,000 a day.
It is feared that the safety of pedestrians, residents and motorists on the Dunkettle Road will reach an intolerable level of risk.
A decision on the development is due on August 26th.
Dunkettle House was the home of the Russell family until last year. For many years the house was inhabited by the five Gubbins sisters, all of whom were deaf, until the Russell family inherited it in 1870 when the Gubbins line ran out of heirs.