corcaighboy
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My understanding of it is that PoC’s compensation claim relates to not just the Custom House and the associated listed warehouses, but the quay that fronts all the docklands (still in use) and the Tivoli container depot and its associated landbank. All are supposed to be relocated to an expanded facility at Ringaskiddy. I may be wrong of course, so I stand to be corrected. Either way, I would obviously love to see movement made on the docklands.
Surely PoC are entitled to compensation for any move. If you asked any private company to move to a new location, you would have to either buy their property (presumably at a market rate) or set them up with an attractive alternative that makes it worth their while. But to expect PoC to up sticks for nothing and build out the required infrastructure for nothing is, frankly, nuts and it ain’t going to happen!
Irish Examiner report re the Port of Cork’s container facilities moving from Tivoli. Anyone know if the vacated land will be designated industrial or residential?
Final plans for €160m port facility on display
By Eoin EnglishTHE Port of Cork will unveil the final plans today for its massive €160 million container facility planned for Ringaskiddy. Port officials said last night that they have addressed several concerns about traffic, noise and visual impact which were raised by the public during the first round of public consultations last December.
They and representatives from their consultants, RPS Consulting Engineers, will outline later today several mitigation measures they intend to take to deal with those issues.
A draft Environmental Impact Statement on the massive project at Oyster Bank — which includes the reclamation of almost 18 hectares of land — will also be on display.
The massive project is being dealt with by the State’s Strategic Infrastructure Bill designed to fast-track major infrastructural projects.
Port officials are due to meet with that body within the coming weeks to finalise their planning application, which could be lodged within two months.
A final decision could be made by the middle of next year, depending on the outcome of public hearings.
The proposed new facility will replace the port’s city-based Tivoli Docks container facility.
With a capacity for 180,000 units, it handled 155,000 container units and port traffic is still growing.
The new container terminal, together with a multi-purpose roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) berth, will be able to handle twice the volume of Tivoli.
Work is expected to be carried out in two phases — phase one will cater for 300,000 container units. Phase two will complete the facility allowing it to cater for 600,000 units.
The port also has plans to build a new €70m bulks facility at the nearby ADM jetty.
The plans for the port’s move downstream were first proposed in 2002, as part of the Port of Cork’s Strategic Development Plan.
Today’s public consultation sessions will take place at the Ringaskiddy Ferry Terminal between 11am and 2pm and again between 5pm and 8pm.
Report in today’s Examiner re the Docklands.
Officials reveal plans for multi-billion regeneration of Cork’s south docks
By Eoin English
THOUSANDS of spacious luxury apartments aimed at families will be built in Cork’s multi-billion south docks regeneration project, city officials have revealed.So-called ‘shoe-box’ apartments have been banned and city planners have set generous apartment floor-space guidelines for developers in a bid to attract families back to live in the city centre.
The guidelines are contained in the city’s ambitious draft south docks Local Area Plan (LAP) — a detailed development blueprint for the area which was agreed by city council on Monday.
It aims to transform the south docks into one of the most attractive urban waterfront quarters in Europe with thousands of residential apartments ranging in height from five to seven storeys, and including four soaring landmark towers — one of which will be 22 storeys high at the Marina.
The LAP wants to see the construction of 10,000 homes and apartments, has set a target population of 20,000 and a working population of 25,000 in the region by 2027.
To help achieve this, planners have set down guidelines for apartment sizes that are substantially bigger than the Government’s minimum requirements.
The apartments will range from one bedroom dwellings for two people, to four bedroom dwellings for seven people, with a range of options in between.
Pat Ledwidge, the director of the city council’s Docklands Directorate, said this move was designed to make the apartments more attractive for families.
“We felt that if we wanted to encourage families to live in the docklands, we needed to have adequate living quarters,†he said.
“The apartments will also have generous storage space which has often been a problem area for apartments in the past,†he said.
And two massive planning applications for sites in the docks are to be lodged within weeks.
Property developers Howard Holdings and landowners the Tedcastle Group are expected to seek planning permission in August for a joint project to transform 30 acres of land near Páirc Uà Chaoimh.
Their project for a site three times the size of Croke Park, includes offices, residential and retail developments and a 200-bedroom hotel.
Surely it would be possible to have a relatively simplified and low-cost light rail system covering the key parts of the city. Instead of a top of the line system like LUAS, could a bog basic version do the trick? I have seen several systems in China that do the basics and are neither high cost nor high tech. BUT they do the job perfectly and they do work much better than buses. Granted the above would not be ideal for long distances but it would work for the key areas around the city.
The bus-tram contraption is a red herring if ever there was one and is more a publicity stunt to keep the attention away from the pathetic public transport system in the city.Report in today’s Examiner regarding the Docklands. It might be a good idea if the journalist actually went to Manhattan to check out their skyline before making the somewhat pretentious claim that Cork is about to replicate it. Really, where do they get these notions :rolleyes:
Cork’s docklands eyes a Manhattan skylineBy Eoin English, 08 June 2007
AN iconic tower up to 22 storeys high is one of four soaring landmark buildings proposed in a blueprint that will transform Cork’s south docks into one of Europe’s top waterfront urban quarters.If built tomorrow, the structure, which has been given the name Iconis Tower as a working title, would be the tallest building in Ireland. A site at the Marina has been identified for it. The other towers have been earmarked for sites on:
Centre Park Road.
Kennedy Road.
The South Docks Quayside.Together, they would attract international attention to the rejuvenated docks, which will have a Manhattan skyline-style design.
The tower plans are among dozens of exciting recommendations in the long-awaited draft south docks local area plan (LAP) , compiled by consultants Brady Shipman Martin. It will be presented to city councillors on Monday.
It provides the framework for the multi-billion-euro regeneration of the south docks into a high-density urban quarter over the next two decades.
With a LAP already in place for the north docks area, this is the final piece in the jigsaw to guide the redevelopment of the entire docklands region.
The south docks LAP sets a target population of 20,000 and a working population of 25,000 in the area by 2027.
Up to 10,000 homes will be built, which is two-and-a-half times the size of the city’s island area. Most will be built with their main aspects facing south to capitalise on solar energy.
The LAP sets out detailed guidelines for the style and type of apartments. “Confetti-type†residential design, which expresses building uses, will be encouraged. City planners want 30% of the apartments set aside as family units, with a minimum floor area of 90 square metres, 15% set aside for one bedroom units, and 20% of zoned land set aside for part five social and affordable housing.
Between 10% and 14% of space will be set aside for public open space, parks and a boardwalk.
Tens of thousands of square feet of office space, a third-level campus, one secondary and two primary schools, medical facilities, and childcare facilities are also proposed.
The plan calls for preservation plans for the Ford’s complex and the Customs House Quay area.
The Bonded Warehouse building could be converted for interactive uses like galleries, shops and cafes.
And the Odlum’s Building on the south docks should be developed as a flagship cultural project.
At least two bridges should be built — one near the Skew Bridge and one at Water Street — to link the study area to the north docks. A third bridge at Mill Road is under consideration.
Flood protection measures, including raising ground levels, and an early warning system, will be needed to protect the flood-prone area.
However, three Seveso sites (where hazardous material is stored) could affect redevelopment in certain areas, the plan warns.
Topaz Energy, the National Oil Reserves Agency, and Gouldings Fertilizers — all of which have exclusion zones — will prevent the development of high-density housing.
“Their relocation is to be encouraged,†the plan says.
The Port of Cork’s activities will also have to be moved downstream.
Cllr Damian Wallace (FF), chairman of the council’s Docklands Policy Committee, welcomed the LAP.
“Our next task is to prepare a business implementation plan to ensure it can be delivered,†he said.
“Almost €406 million will be needed to deliver key infrastructure. The council is hopeful that a lot of this will be recouped from development charges.â€
Cllr Dara Murphy (FG) also welcomed changes suggested to make the bridges open span to ensure boat access up to the city centre.
“This development will change the focus of our city. Now it’s over to the private sector to play their part and come forward with proposals,†he said.
well said browser and andrew p.
Also, just on the issue of adding extra floors to a high rise at a later date…is that really feasible and has it been done before in Ireland? I presume it would mean an extra 3 or 4 floors only or am I wrong. I guess the aesthetics may change somewhat. Certainly a good idea and it displays some degree of forward thinking.That kind of carry on is just shameful. By the way, when making a complaint to the council, I have this advice. Calling them on the phone is a waste of time…such a call is never recorded nor kept on file so saying that you called them many times cuts no ice. Best to actually send a letter (preferably registered) so that the council actually have to acknowledge it and file it. Keep on sending them a letter on a regular basis and you would be amazed at the results. I found it was the only way Cork County Council would react to complaints….after 50 letters they can be shamed into actually doing something. Also, letters from community groups or resident associations/professional groups tend to carry more weight. If you have a valid complaint (and the massacre of Dublin’s pavements certainly qualifies) then the council needs to be shamed into changing their ways.
The problems at Aer Rianta stem from the days when Noel Hanlon was in charge. Many of the top management just gave up under his rule and anyone with talent left like rats from a sinking ship. The result has been paralysis in terms of decision making as the present management is extremely weak and are mere puppets in north Dublin politics. The organisation is run from the perspective of what benefits the unions and the vested interests. The users, pax, and the general public get the short end of the stick I’m afraid.
As for Cork, I think that while new facilities were badly needed but the project costs just skyrocketed – which is what happens when there is no good oversight/project management and when the parties involved know the state will be footing the bill! Meanwhile the debate has got bogged down on a political promise (always dodgy) rather than focusing on how it all went tits up in the first place. No one got sacked, reprimanded, or otherwise blamed. The show just goes on, and I fear that we will be heading for another disastrous and costly sequel in the case of DUB’s new terminal.
As for the CAA and their management credentials, I have no idea how competent they are although early signs are not too encouraging (hiring another set of consultants to tell them what to do when dealing with HQ sounds like a cop out, and an expensive one at that!). However, I think SNN and ORK should be responsible for their own actions and should be cast away from under the DAA’s shadow and let to fend for themselves. At the very least, the CAA will be answerable to themselves and the people of Munster and the whole ‘It’s Dublin’s fault’ will no longer be a reasonable answer/excuse. Alas, Cork Airport in particular has many issues re its location (the windiest and wettest part of the county) and if independence comes with a 100m Euro debt the the airport will basically struggle to survive as a going concern.Well, having witnessed how the CAA/DAA/Aer Rianta pissed away zillions in building Cork’s new terminal and facilities, I would be wary of entrusting them with building anything bigger than a sandcastle. We all know DUB has a serious problem re facilities and needs some action quickly. The problem is I don’t trust the DAA to do the job effectively.
Interesting….his reassignment would certainly ease some of the tension and allow for a return to something approaching normality. A fresh start…let’s hope so!
Saw the following in the Examiner today. Says it all really: “Iarnród Éireann officials also hinted during the briefing that the commuter rail line to Midleton is expected to open by the “end of 2008†rather than “by 2008â€.
Seems that they are literally living up to their advertising slogan of ‘We’re not there yet, but we’re getting there!’
Thanks for that flyboy. Quick question – Two of the images (966 and 965) show what looks like the same terminal from the same angle, but image 965 has no air-bridges and image 966 has air-bridges galore! Artistic licence perchance?
Cork only has itself to blame. No point in pointing the finger at everyone else and blaming them for our multiple cock-ups and our associated chip on the shoulder. We have a city and county council that is nothing more than a talking shop and we elect TDs who tend to disappoint. Who is to blame for that? Surely not Dublin!
From today’s Irish Independent. I am sure regular posters here may find issue with the part I have underlined re experts!
Builders sore over priest’s tender
ANGRY builders have accused their parish priest of snubbing them by awarding a lucrative �3m church renovation project to outside contractors.
The unholy row erupted in Bundoran, Co Donegal after local contractors discovered they had not been invited to tender for the work to the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
Instead, the work is likely to be assigned to builders based across the border in Northern Ireland.
Derry-based architects Mullarkey and Pedersen invited tenders for the work from five companies based in Fermanagh and Tyrone.
Parish priest Fr Ramon Munster has defended his decision to delegate authority for choosing the builders.
“I am a priest. They are the architects, the experts. You pay expert consultants on any job you are not capable of doing yourself,” he said.
Four other companies which indicated an interest were told not to submit tenders. One of them, GKT, was told it didn’t have sufficient experience in working on chapels to be considered for the job.
“That was an inadequate response. We finished off work on St Patrick’s Church in Belleek some years ago when the original contractor was unable to do so,” said GKT boss Brendan Keown, a member of the Bundoran congregation.
Hi all, Not too sure if anyone of you has come across a magazine called ‘Sacred Architecture’? It is the journal of the Institute for Sacred Architecture. I came across it in the US recently and picked up a copy. This is not an advertisement, but I just thought that it might be of interest to some of the regular posters here. If you need further details, just pm me and I can pass them on. It is an impressive mag, in full glossy style…the mag tends to be on the conservative side when it comes to church restoration/refurbishment. Some of the chapters in the last issue included ‘the survival of classicism’, ‘the miniature domed temples inside the churches of Corfu’, and ‘beyond basilicas: centralised churches of early Christianity’.
Cheers,
CBTo be honest, I don’t take any of these ministerial announcements at face value anymore. Firstly, it is an election year so it seems any government official can trot out any number (the higher the better) to show how great they are. Secondly, how they arrive at these headline numbers amazes me. It would probably confuse a professor of Mathematics.
In the case of the Galway announcement, I wonder how much has actually been allocated to the redevelopment of the train station? Only the monies the department of finance have ok’d would cut it with me. The rest of the finance is most likely the total potential value of the investment, which in all honesty is more related to a figure plucked out of the sky. Grand announcements and grand schemes (preferably with ‘quarter’ in them) are designed to get the public drunk with anticipation…until the election is out of the way. Jaysus, I have become a cynic!!
By the way, Ceannt Station could do with a clean-up…let’s just hope it is a real one and not some ministerial red herring.Sadly, the mess at Cork Airport, and Irish airports in general, is a reflection of having the state involved in commercial enterprises. The inflated cost of the new terminal, car park, etc at Cork is no surprise, given that the consultants, architects, builders, etc knew that the ultimate paymaster was the taxpayer and thus, they had the ‘flexibility’ to charge what they liked. If the airport was a commercial development, you can be sure that such cost overruns would never happen, or at least not to the same degree. Even more galling is the fact that the taxiway and remaining air-bridges were included in the earlier budget but somehow disappeared despite the cost overruns. Yet has anyone been held accountable? Has anyone been fired for pissing away millions of euro? Are there any pending court cases to get to the bottom of this? Are there any guarantees or systems in place to make sure that such a shambles won’t happen again? This is particularly pertinent when you think that the same crowd who managed this fiasco are looking for a billion plus to upgrade Dublin. Deliver it late and charge twice as much seems to be their operating credo!
I travel through DUB, SNN, and ORK with enough frequency to know that all three are a shambles. ORK depresses me in particular as it is new and there are simply no excuses given that over 200m Euro has been lavished on the place. DUB is a complete joke and I would not trust the DAA to do anything that would improve the lot of the traveler, They set exorbitant fees for users of the airport, citing ‘benchmarks’ at other airports in Europe — as if this makes it perfectly acceptable to charge us what they like. What they fail to say is that other airports in Europe generally offer an infinitely better user experience (not LHR granted). To highlight the craziness of it all, they plan a big new terminal which will replace something they built not that long ago. No moves have been made on lengthening the main runway to cater for long haul direct flights (where aircraft can take off with a full complement of pax and fuel) and the proposed second runway will not cater for these flights either. Aer Rianta/DAA is a hidebound organisation, rotten from the core, and one which is beyond rescue. It is on life support thanks to state subventions and I for one would like to see it broken up. The Brennan plan made all the right noises, with control of the airports’ management being turned back to local interests and on a debt free basis — so that they could compete with each other and make do. Sadly, we elected to do half the job, so that we are in the crazy situation where we have more chiefs than indians — three boards of directors and one management.
Agghh, it is just too depressing to think about. Rant over!!
