developments in cork

Thanks lex, and Nov. 24th… thats like ages away, but seen as I waited this long, I might aswell hang on again for another two months. What do you think the outcome will be? Me fingers are crossed as usual, Oh and for anyone thinking of using the tunnel tomorrow…. don’t! My sister was stuck in there for over an hour this morning, for a journey that usually takes thirty seconds… an hour is abit much for anyone, all the police told everyone to turn off their engines ‘cos they were in the tunnel for so long…. Damn farmers clogging up all the roads. I had a doss day at school though, five or six of the teachers couldn’t make it in with all the traffic.

i dont see a problem with ‘higher’ buildings at Victoria Cross/County Hall area. There is a precedent there for height, it is a very strong visual gateway to the city – the Cork High Buildings Study identiofied three locations in the city where tall buildings could be accommodated – Docklands, Blackpool and County Hall/Victoria X area. I think the argument put out against developments based on the fact that they block other buildings is somewhat overstated and meaningless in an urban situation.

Cities, by definition, are a concentration of structures in close proximity and there are few examples of buildings that command uninterrupted views from every angle, aspect and distance. The proposal at Crows Nest should not simply be judged in terms of its impact on County Hall – which, remember, was one of the most whinged-about buildings in the city – the proposal should be assessed on its own merits as well as its relationship/impact on surrounding areas.

BTW – is Eden Hall one of the cheapest looking buildings I have ever seen? Cheap, 1990’s, pastiche crap. Give me Victoria Mills any day. Re Water St – I have a feeling the board will leave the decision as it is – possibly overuling the inspectors report – just a hunch

An Bord Pleanala have refused Allied Irish Bank permission to demolish their existing branch at the junction of Watercourse Road and O’Connell Street in Blackpool and replace it with a new branch building.
The development had previously been granted permission by CCC on 3rd May this year but was appealled to ABP by Kathleen Lynch TD on the 25th May.
The design by BCG Architects was contemporary and would have replaced a building which is showing its age. 17 staff parking places and an ATM facility was also included. Third party submissions to CCC were concerned with the severe alteration to the building line at Watercourse Road, as the proposed building would encroach onto what is now open (although privately -owned) space; Drainage issues were also a concern to local residents.
The proposed design was two-storey stepping down to single storey at the corner of the two boundary streets and was clad in sanded limestone with polished limestone highlights. The CCC report concluded that the development “meets the challenges of the site in an inventive manner and satisfies the objectives of the Development Plan in relation to high quality design.”

This is unfortunate, I’d agree with CCC on this one, the design was simple, imaginative and would have fitted the area, while at the same time giving it a deservedly modern boost. I am as yet unaware of the reasoning behind ABP’s refusal but will be interested to find out. I’ll need a lot of convincing.

@Pug wrote:

Not sure how i managed to get everyone talking about Eden Hall Student Village but does anyone have pictures of the Eden in Blackrock??

I have the brochure here, but no scanner at the moment. If no one else has them, I’ll try and and get some up this evening.

Following on from the succesful appeal to ABP regarding AIB’s Watercourse Road branch, the report has become available specifying the reasoning behind the refusal.
The successful appealent argued that the proposed development was alien to the area of mostly 19th century buildings, it would detract from the open space at the junction of Watercourse Road and O’Connell Street, more consideration should be taken considering the site is of historical significance (Seamus Murphy had his workshops there) and that there is severe drainage issues.

The ABP inspector supported the assertion that the new building would be alien to the area, while arguing that the existing building was of little value and should also be removed. The inspector noted that this is an oppurtunity “to provide a building, which would harmonise with the character of the area.”
The removal of a landscaped area in front of the existing bank was also seen by the inspector as a reason to refuse: “an area of attractive landscaping, containing trees and shrubs behind a metal fence, deemed to be an area for anti social behaviour and a gathering ground for litter by the applicant, would be lost. This I feel would be unfortunate. More preferable, in my view, would be to incorporate this area into an approach to the entrance to the bank premises. The area, which faces south and represents a sun trap against the gable to the public house, could be offered to the Council as a public amenity, sitting out area.”

This is an idea which no doubt will find a lot of favour with local residents. Especially if Seamus Murphy could be honoured by some appropriate plaque or sculpture in this area.

At the end of the day the appeal was upheld for one reason:
“The site of the bank premises occupies a prominent corner site at the junction of Watercourse Road and O’Connell Street in the Blackpool area of Cork City. Whilst it is an objective in the Cork City Development Plan 2004 to encourage the renewal of the Blackpool area, it is considered that the proposed single storey / two storey contemporary flat roof design of the bank premises would detract from the predominantly two to three storey design and traditional character of other residential and commercial properties in the area. In addition, the proposed bank premises would also result in the loss of an attractive area of soft landscaping and taken together, it is considered that the proposed bank premises would seriously injure the visual amenities of the area.”

I have to say, having watched this planning process with interest, I was shocked that ABP upheld the appeal. While the reasons given are valid enough, they seem to indicate a much softer side of ABP 🙂

I wonder will the same approach be taken when dealing with Frinailla’s Lady’s Well Proposal down the street?

Pictures of Eden development in Blackrock, as promised. Apologies for the quality, they’re taken from a brochure with a camera phone!!

I wouldn’t call them ugly at all, but considering they’re possibly the most expensive new development in Cork (per sq. foot) in the last few years, I was pretty underwhelmed.