who_me

@Radioactiveman wrote:

Finally for now, does anybody else think that the new wall and railings erected in front of The Counting House at Beamish and Crawford are a disgrace? The wall is just poured concret, the railings themselves are terribly designed which has resulted in the need to install chunky metal barriers between the top of the wall and the bottom of the railing. If you havent seen it already, take a look next time you’rte passing. It looks like a monumental cock-up.!

I walk by every day, and they’re shocking. Hard to believe, but the old railings were better!

For those that haven’t seen it, the lower part is a rough, bland concrete barrier (somewhat akin to the barriers you might see skirting F1 tracks), topped by an unpainted railing that’s far too tall, with a gap of about a foot in between. Seeing this gap, I was hoping that it was a work in progress, and they might be planning on adding a stone face to the wall, perhaps with potted plants or flowers on top under the railing, which might be nice.

But no, they’ve since tacked on another square rail between the wall and railing which matches neither. A little bizarre.

On the subject of Beamish; what restrictions exist on erecting floodlighting on a building? I live in an apartment block across the river from Beamish, and when I walk into my living room the floodlights hit you so hard you have to squint or look away. Do you think they’d be receptive to a polite request to adjust the angle slightly so it’s hitting the Counting House facade more directly, and not shining right into peoples’ houses?

@lexington wrote:

1.Additional Academy Street Images

Are these pictures of a widened Faulkner’s Lane?

@Radioactiveman wrote:

Incidently, work has started on Sth Main Street to replace the railings at Beamish and Crawford- directly in front of the Counting House.

(Coming from someone whose front window looks out at the Counting House) thank God for that!

I know the yard at the front of that building is heavily used, but I’ve always thought it was a pity the railings weren’t replaced and the yard made into a small park/garden. It’d show off the Counting House far better. Of course, you’d still have much of the rest of the brewery looking decrepit, particularly from South Main St., but at least it would be an improvement.

@anto wrote:

If the Cork docklands are to become an extension of the city centre then development should be urban in form, i.e. there should be streets, squares etc. This building while quite dramatic seems to be set in a business park/campus setting. Green space can be incoporated in the form of parks or a linear park with cycle ways along the river bank. The docklands needs to be developed in a high density manner if things like light rail linking it to the city centre are feasible.

True, though this is at the Eastern end of the South Docklands area, where it borders the attractive Marina/Atlantic Pond area. I think a project such as this would blend nicely between the urban dockland setting and the quiet, recreational Atlantic Pond.

@lexington wrote:

Now, a revised plan is to be lodged after assessment of the hotel market in Cork and with respect to viability issues given the permitted developments reduced bedroom numbers. It is understoof Derek Tynan & Associates have been retained to design a new scheme which will see the redevelopment of the Mill Business Centre as a new part 3-storey, part 5-storey open plan office building with river fronting amenity space all over basement parking for 15 spaces.

Hopefully, by ‘revised’, they mean ‘redesigned from scratch’. That’s a dull, unimaginative design in any context, but in such a sensitive location, it’s completely out of place.

(And I’m not just saying that because it’s across the road from my home! 😀 )

I have to admit I know nothing of the planning & appeal procedure; but surely it should be possible to have a preliminary stage where a summary judgement could be made, to prevent frivolous objections. And shouldn’t that be the only thing that matters – whether the reasons for the objection are reasonable, not the name on the form?

@alpha wrote:

is cork county hall far from the city centre? i would love to see what it looks like in person these days. i will be down that way next month.

About a 25 or 30 minute walk, I’d guess. Though you can see it easily enough from Sheare St. in the city centre – bring a pair of binoculars and save yourself the walk! 😉

I’m not that familiar with the Blackpool areas – is there any map that shows the location & size of the Ladyswell development?

@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.

@lexington wrote:

I think Cork has developed and continues to do so, a very continental, cosmopolitan feel to it. Of course there is much more to go, but the refurbishments at St. Patrick’s Street, Oliver Plunkett Street and those proposed for Grand Parade and Cornmarket Street have all added to this. We should also note the revitalisation of the French Quarter which looks great these days – new pavings, speciality shops, cafes and restaurants opening out onto the street, narrow lanes, street decor etc etc all have made this a beautiful contrast to the main stream commercial areas that surround it. Walking down Careys Lane is often like walking into another city.

Agree wholeheartedly, and it’d be great to think that a redeveloped Faulkner’s Lane and Bowling Green St would add to that again. Combine that with the extra foot traffic that the Academy St. development should draw off Patrick St., and it should really re-energise the area (I don’t know what that means either, but it sounds good.. 😉 ).