developments in cork

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Glad to see this long planning procedure has finally come to an end. For anyone interested, below is a summary of the whole process:

Most of the given conditions are standard. ABP has however requested the removal of a central block of apartments to the rear of the central plaza building (large 5-storey structure in Lexington’s image above). The space created is to be added to the open space in the development and is to landscaped accordingly.
Therefore, some apartments will be lost to the development.

Frinailla’s Lady’s Well

Frinailla originally applied for this development on Watercourse Road in Blackpool in August of 2003. That scheme was submitted as three individual planning applications. At that time, the whole development was proposed as a mixed-use development with c.250 residential units, a large number of commercial units (totalling 3379m2), a crèche/childcare facility, and a private gym for residents use.
The whole development stretched from Murphy’s Brewery Corner to the Garda Station on Watercourse Road taking in Coral SeaFood, McSweeney Meats, Trotters Secondhand store and The 147 snooker Club, as well as a large number of buildings to the rear.
The original development called for a maximum 9 storey range of buildings over basement car parking finished in a mixture of materials including frosted glass, metal meshing and ‘pelicolour’ cladding.
Fears were raised at local and City Council level and further information on this development was submitted on the 18th November 2003. This further information served to reduce the highest buildings proposed from 9 storey to seven storey but did little to improve the design problems.
This first set of applications was refused permission by CCC on the 18th December 2003 and all three were appealed to An Bord Pleanala (28.205801, 28.205802 and 28.205803 respectively).
In the appeal to ABP Frinailla offered to reduce their development to six storeys, should ABP see fit. This was in order to satisfy resident’s concerns over excess height. However, the development was turned down by ABP on the 20/07/2004. Reasons such as scale, height and character within the existing streetscape were all cited as reasons for refusal.

On the 6th October 2004, Frinailla ltd. applied to Cork City Council to demolish all of the buildings on the site in two separate applications (04/28865 and 04/28866). This was to facilitate sub-surface investigations. These applications were accompanied by no plans for redevelopment and were refused by CCC on those grounds. These decisions were also appealed to An Bord Pleanala in December of 2004 but withdrawn when the most recent applications were also before ABP (see below).

A month before CCC’s decision on the above demolition applications, Frinailla applied to CCC for the latest round of developments on the 19th November 2004. This time the application came in two parts (04/29029 and 04/29030).
Overall, the development sought was a mixed use, residential/commercial/public one ranging from one to five stories in height. It contained: 153 residential units, 510 m sq of office space, a bank of 267 m sq, seven retail units totalling 635.5 m sq, a public library (966 m sq), crèche (504 m sq), Medical Centre (282 sq m) and a convenience retail unit (529 m sq).
The development also proposed a public plaza opening onto Watercourse Road and the retention of a warehouse building at the edge of the site. It was intended to renovate this building and make it the head office of Frinailla Ltd.
Again, it could have been argued that the development was out of character with the area in terms of height, finishing, etc., however in my view, the new development was much better than that submitted the previous year (see pictures above). This being said, CCC planners had previously stated that 4 storey was the maximum they would consider at this site.
Questions were also raised about the feasibility of a Public Library at this location, especially considering there was had been no attempt made to involve Cork City Library Service in the planning of it.
Further information was submitted on the 4th March 2005, this time photomontages were included. The developers argued convincingly that the 5-storey element proposed would help to define the public plaza and public library space. However, in the same submission, the developers withdrew the option of a library (referring to a statement by the City Librarian confirming that the relocation of St. Mary’s Road Library was not an immediate priority) and replace it in their plans with further retail, a gym and further apartments.

The planner dealing with the application recommended refusal on the grounds of: visual obstruction, inappropriate height, scale and massing, character, overlooking and a breach of the Cork City Development Plan by allowing excess retail in an area which is neither city centre nor a ‘neighbourhood centre’.
At this point, it is reported that the Senior Planner and City Manager intervened and requested the planner to draw up appropriate conditions to grant permission. This was done, and the development was given the go-ahead by CCC, albeit with the 5-storey element reduced to 4-storey.
This decision to grant was appealed to ABP by Kathleen Lynch TD, amongst others, who had made submissions from the beginning of this process. Originally, a decision from ABP was due in late August. This was delayed until 13th October, and this was further delayed until today due to ABP workloads.

Adequate parking facilities are provided under ground- running under the entire length of the developement. Will cater for c. 250 cars.
The development itself is certainly out of character with the surroounding area, although you may argue that this is a good thing. It is bold and brash and is, in effect a fresh start for this badly neglected site. The locale itself has been on the up lately though, so this development will be fitting into an area which has already had a lot of work done on it in terms of new apartment blocks,etc. Further out from the City, the massive Blackpool SC and RP is nearing completion.
In terms of maintaining the scale, massing and design of the buildings surrounding this development, it is a failure. As a new start and something to replace what is a terribly delapidated site, it can only be a winner. Only time will tell how this development takes shape. 🙂

Its interesting to note that the ABP report (due to be made available in the next few days) will show that the inspector involved reccomended upholding the third-party appeal and therefore refusing permission for this development! It was only through the intervention of the Director of Services that The Board decided to go against its own inspector and grant permission.
Importantly, this means that Frinailla’s Lady’s Well project has gone through both CCC and ABP without ANY report reccomending permission be granted. Both reports reccomended refusal! It is only through intervention at levels above that of the planner/inspector that this development recieved permission. Curious to say the least! It seems the powers that be are smiling on Frinailla and rejecting the advice of their own planners and inspectors!

This is the best I can do for now I’m a fraid. The 3 blocks of the Frinailla development are highlighted in red. It is bordered by Watercourse Road, Bleasby Street and Houses on Chapel Lane. With Allinetts lane and Hillgrove lane running through the site.
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I won’t comment on other possible movements for the time being until I hear more – hope that’s something for the time being anyway.[/QUOTE]

Thanks Lex… that’s alot of interesting developments. Must say that I’ll be very interested in any future developments by Howard Holdings, City Quarter has really had a fantastic impact.

Eastern elevation (landside)

Car Park and utilities building

Other building work in progress – new aircraft hangar:

New hotel in Business Park

I’ll try and take some airside shots on a day with better lighting conditions, so you can appreciate all that glass 😉

One issue I have with the new airport terminal is that it was designed for 2.5 million passengers. The airport is already at that level.

I think that there is a Mini English Market going in there also and Lennox’s will be hilarious different.
Hope they get the transatlantic flights next.

Ya i would like ryanair to take a more active role in cork airport as there is more than enought demand for it weather you be going out of the country on holidays or tourists coming in. I know alot of people from cork are heading to shannon because of the choice of cheap flights thanks to ryanair. I think this is a big lose to the cork area as cork has a bigger catchment area . 🙁

such is the boom in tourism in the limerick area because of the cheap flights out of shannon that within the next 2 years 1,000 new hotel rooms will be added to the city capacity which is quiet a big jump.

Facts On New Terminal

Area 26,500 sq. metres

Capacity for 3 million passengers annually

32 check-in desks

4 Air-bridges

5 baggage belts

I’ve also got a question i though the new terminal had a capacity for 3 million the below quote is taken from the air rianta cork web site . ye say the capacty is 2.5 million but this makes no sence as that figure is going to be achived this year . Correct me if i’m wrong but i think the new terminal has a capacty for 3million and the design incorporated alows for expancion at a later date 5+ years to 5+ million not sure how many air bridges are there though

Any terninal is a huge inprovement than whats there as the current one has a capacity is officially 1.1 million passengers per annum
I’d like ryanair to take the old terminal over other than it being turned into offices

QUOTE:/
The new terminal will utilise glass, steel and timber materials in a graceful, contemporary design, which maximises the effects of light and space under a single-span curved roof structure. The building is designed to manage a capacity of up to five million passengers per annum over time, with the potential addition of a new pier and side extensions when required.
QUOTE:

+ does anyone know the actual opening date???