Go-ahead for Wilton revamp ‘outrageous’

THE decision to grant conditional permission for a €100m redevelopment of Wilton Shopping Centre has been described as “outrageous” and “extraordinary” by Wilton Residents' Association who objected to the plans.

The application by developers Montlake QIAF Platform IC York Property Fund II, was the subject of a dozen submissions and includes plans for a 190-bed hotel, a 14-screen cinema, a two-storey extension to Penneys and other retail space, as well as an 874-space, multi-level car park.

Permission for the development includes 44 conditions inserted by Cork City Council but John Leahy, a spokesperson for the Wilton Residents’ Association said the concerns of residents regarding increased traffic congestion have been “dismissed out of hand”.

Mr Leahy said residents are not against development at the shopping centre but not at the size planned.

“The permission states the development would not constitute a traffic hazard which I think is extraordinary given the conditions on the road as it stands,” he said.

“Even the developers themselves have said there will be an 18% increase in traffic through. Wilton and Bishopstown that would bring us up to over 10m per year which is an extraordinary amount of traffic through what is essentially a residential area.

“There are already 6-8 hours congestion in the area every day. A development of that size will attract a huge amount of footfall and traffic and its a huge concern but it has been dismissed out of hand.

“To say it won't constitute a traffic hazard is an outrageous statement,” he added.

Mr Leahy said the residents' association will appeal but feels this will be a fruitless exercise with the National Transport Authority and National Transport Authority also having objections dismissed.

“We'll go to An Bord Pleanála and we're not alone in objecting. The [development] is going to go ahead, there's no doubt about it but we will certainly go to the planning authority and maybe even further,” he said.

“The issue here is the health and safety of the people of Wilton and Bishopstown. There is already serious pollution and noise levels with over 100 accidents having occurred since 2003 since the bus lane was put in and the cycle lane removed,” he added.