developments in cork

In reality, the percentage of people in the state living in the GDA (were it accurately represented) would be closer to a half. Moreover, it has seen a huge increase in population in the last 15 years, far ahead of what public services could keep pace with. The plan is Dublin centric because (a), the state is, and (b) public transport requires economics of scale and critical mass to be justified. The WRC, on the other hand, has neither, is is included in this plan purely for the optics.

The critical issue ignored in the NSS and Transport 21, but not in the Buchanan Report, is that in a country the size of Ireland, there are a very limited number of urban centres that can hope to generate self sustaining critical mass. In reality, there are two outside of Dublin. Targeting critical infrastructure at these would facilitate the development of these ‘growth poles’ and allow a more sustainable rate of growth for Dublin. Due to the vagaries of PR-STV and our parish pump politics, no competent politician is going to say this however. And instead we are left with a situation whereby Dublin gets the lions share of the funding (because it has been allowed to sprawl unchecked), and everywhere else gets some sweeties too, mainly because they’ve been good little boys and girls. The recent announcement merely contributes to that spiral of centralism.

The problem now is that Dublin (and that boondoggle in the west) is going to suck up funding for the next 10 years, while Cork sits and becomes a very real problem as it grows under its own steam. There are steps that can be taken in the short term, (why does Cork not have its own transport authority or even bus company for example, or higher density development in the city itself) in the longer term, Cork is going to need what is politely known as macro economic transfers. And that is not just for some grand strategic vision (as in the next CASP), but for the basic necessities of getting around. At current rates of growth, Cork County will have a population of over half a million shortly, and will maintain (roughly) its percentage of the population of the state. Where is the matching funding to support that growth?

Berlin had its U-Bahn,S-Bahn & Trams destroyed 60 years ago. Here we ripped out Corks & Irelands infrastructure with very little foresight for the future.Even if we had the tram system that we had in 1931 it would be a massive tourist attraction if nothing else similar to San Francisco’s.Cork City Council and County council is full of transport plans,area action plans,development plans,special area plans etc gathering dust in there.Martin Cullens plan is a hospital pass for him – it wont happen,on time or on budget.Remember the voting machine fiasco.You can travel within a few blocks of most destinations in Berlin as a high density city even out to the suburbs.We now are going to have a 3-storey low density city in Cork apart from 2 or 3 areas.
Our elected TD’s,councillors and planners have a lot to answer for.

@Saucy Jack wrote:

You can travel within a few blocks of most destinations in Berlin as a high density city even out to the suburbs.We now are going to have a 3-storey low density city in Cork apart from 2 or 3 areas.
Our elected TD’s,councillors and planners have a lot to answer for.

Do you think the councillors realise what theyre doing is wrong and just thinking about the next vote? Or are they so filled up with their own sense of self-righteousness that they cant see they are making a critical mistake??

By the way how does the Transport plan affect Horgans quays redevelopment? Or does it at all?? Is funding now in place to redevelop the station as Mr Cullen promised back in June? He said an application along with the Manor park homes plan would now proceed back then??

I sense Lexington is having a bit of a laugh…well I hope he is..

@lexington wrote:

😎 The Bowen Group are to be refused planning on their proposal to develop 55-apartments over a 6-storey block, with 10 townhouses and some community related provisions on a strip of land to the eastern periphery of Musgrave Park Rugby Grounds. The Wilson Architecture designed project – led by Paud O’Mahony, also catered for 93 ground floor parking spaces. The ruling will come following recognition that the permission sought is in contravention with the Cork City Development Plan 2004, concerning loss of recreational grounds to development. This leaves Bowen Construction in a difficult position regarding options, and for Munster Rugby by extension.

While I’m very much in favour of preserving the green areas in the city, this is a real kick in the teeth for Munster. I’m sure the development of that land would have provided a good deal of cash towards a much needed refurbishment of Musgrave and/or Thomond Park. This must surely decrease the value of the lands significantly.

Incidentally, I just read elsewhere that Nemo Rangers have supposedly just sold their pitches (not very far from Musgrave Park). Do similar restrictions not apply there, or could someone have purchased them for recreational purposes? Highly unlikely, I’d have thought.

I saw a few posts back that there may be development on Clontarf Street. For some reason I can’t remember where that actually is. I’ve tried looking at maps online and still cannot locate it! Can someone let me know, and also what development is planned for there if any? Cheers.

Great photo of that area which always had potential for riverside development. If only the custom house buildings could be restored and opened up for bar/cafe/art gallery/restaurant/tourism type retail where the 2 branches of the Lee meet.These buildings are excellent and neglected for so long.Imagine if these were in a prominent location in Dublin ?
Is there or will there be enough demand for all the new office space in this area considering that O’Flynns AnPost site scheme is also due to start next year.

@lexington wrote:

😀 When Reliance Bearings Company put their premises of just under 0.5acres at Anderson’s Quay on the market in early summer of this year – much speculation amounted what would become of this prime site at the epicentre of Cork’s emerging and vibrant new office quarter. Up to 4 solid bids were secured by Hamilton Osbourne King who were handling the sale – which guided at approximately €5m. Interest came from as far as Dublin, but in the end, the property was sold for a figure over €2m in excess of the guide to O’Callaghan Properties (OCP).

It has emerged, and which was published in the press today as I understand it, that OCP have enlisted Wilson Architecture to provide the design on a landmark office development of over 100,000sq ft. Reports that OCP had entered discussions with Tommy Maher regarding his adjoining premises to the west (which he purchased from OFC previously), the CSPCA and the proprietors of the Tyre Fitting premises. The possibility that OCP will commence discussions with the Simon Community premises to the east, would open the potential for an impressive development site. The office building is expected to peak at up to 6-storeys and be built of a large basement car-park for between 130 to 150 cars with retail usage on the ground floor.

Perhaps impressed with Wilson Architecture efforts across the river at St. Patrick’s Quay for Paul Kenny, OCP will now seek to replicate a similarly impressive quayside structure. The Anderson’s Quay development will be flanked by new developments at Clontarf Street (revised drawings expected to be submitted soon), Deane Street and Lapps Quay. A planning application on this new proposal is not likely until sometime early in the new year.

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would be nice if ocallaghans took in the simon site as well. it may give the simon community the money and opportunity to fund a nice high quality city facility in an alternative location and allow for the quayside at andersons to be revitalised. probably wont happen but who knows mr ocallaghan has surprised us all before!!! it also brings ocallaghans into the frame in a part of the city both howard and oflynns were quick to move on. howard have something of a near monopoly in the district with oflynns not far behind (by the way hear oflynns are taking the unlimited liability path! oooo!) very anxious to see how albert quay turns out. will oflynns and/or ascon get a say or will howard dominate the quayside as they pretty much down at city quarter? i cant wait to find out! the area is finally starting to look like a real city. and whats impressed me most is how it still seems to have managed to maintain its cork character. a credit to the design and development teams. the city should look well this end in a few years. what do careys have up their sleeve back on albert quay??

Lex, is the last report listed in the bibliography of that tender document publicly available? (“The Competitiveness of Cork: An Economic Analysis”)