City Hall warns that action may be taken about rubble pile on Sullivan's Quay

CITY HALL has warned that action could be taken regarding the rubble pile on Sullivan’s Quay if there is no sign of development before March.

The site has been earmarked by developer BAM as the location of Cork’s largest hotel, with a cylindrical office tower also planned.

In 2008, the Revenue Commissioners sold their former offices and moved to new premises in Blackpool on Assumption Road.

The building was subsequently used by arts students and as a gallery space before demolition work finally began in March. At the start of May, demolition was completed.

Contractors O’Kelly Bros removed the building section by section before reducing the remainder to a large mound of rubble.

However, seven months on, there has been little evidence of further action on the site, with the rubble mound remaining in place.

It has prompted complaints, with members of the public describing it as an eyesore, according to Sinn Féin councillor Fiona Kerins, who posed a query to City Hall’s head of planning, Pat Ledwidge, regarding what action can be taken.

Mr Ledwidge said that he is unaware of any formal complaints about the rubble but said that if no development has taken place by mid-March, investigations will take place under the Vacant Sites legislation, which could see costly levies issued to the landowner. From 2019, the Vacant Sites Levy will be a maximum of 7% of the value of the site in question.

“Permission was granted for an office and hotel development on this site in June 2018,” Mr Ledwidge’s report said.

“No complaints regarding the condition of the site have come to my attention.

“The situation will be reviewed in mid-March 2019. If development has not progressed, the site will be assessed under the Vacant Sites legislation.”

BAM did not respond to an Evening Echo request for comment.