Mahon area regeneration to be prioritised by the City Council 

REGENERATING a derelict site in Mahon will be prioritised by the new south-east local area committee of Cork City Council.

The Lakelands Tavern site, on Avenue De Rennes, has long been identified as a key development site for the area with affordable housing and a library possible uses but little action has been taken.

Councillor Kieran McCarthy asked the council to enact a Compulsory Purchase Order on the site but was told a lack of a ‘clear plan’ for the area was a barrier to this.

However, councillor Des Cahill said the committee has agreed to make the site a priority.

“The Mahon Avenue de Rennes project will be a key project over the five-year term [of the council]. The problems are ongoing problems. What is very clear is that it is not sustainable. It has been agreed by the district that this is a priority to get it done," said Mr Cahill.

The council is understood to be considering short-term, medium-term and long-term solutions that need to be taken for the area of Mahon and are revisiting the Local Area Plan as part of the City Development Plan.

Council cleansing staff have also undertaken a huge clean up of the Avenue de Rennes area and a large amount of dumping has been cleared away and a litter awareness campaign launched.

Mr McCarthy said: “It’s just a horrific sight and there is a great community there down in Mahon and they are working really, really hard.

“The car park has ginormous craters of potholes. I understand the car park is under the ownership of the Office of Public Works and I would urge the council to write to the OPW to get this site moved on and the craters and potholes to be filled in. The people of Mahon deserve better.

“I understand these properties are not the property of Cork City Council but certainly the two sites are in horrific condition,” he added.

The Mahon Local Area Plan — drawn up by the last term of council — contained a number of objectives for the Avenue De Rennes area, including seeking the redevelopment of vacant and under-utilised sites to create an attractive high street.

The Lakelands bar site is listed on Cork City Council’s derelict sites, with a market value of €600,000. The owner of the bar site, separate from the car park, is listed as Pool House Trustees Ltd.