APPROXIMATELY 1,400 submissions were made by members of the public regarding the planned public realm and flood protection upgrades at Morrison's Island.

The consultation process closed on Thursday afternoon, with officials at City Hall now set to analyse the submissions before presenting a report on the process to City Councillors in the coming weeks.

Members will then have a final vote on the plans for the area, with work expected to begin in the Autumn with the aim of completing the upgrade ahead of the Winter of 2019/2010.

The proposals include the heightening of quay walls and road surfaces to combat flooding, as well as the development of public plazas and a widened cycle and footpath to improve the public realm.

However, the plans have proven controversial.

While some, such as Cork Chamber President Bill O'Connell called for it to be used as an opportunity to enhance the quayside and regenerate that area of the city, others raised concerns.

The Save Cork City Campaign has criticised the design choices, instead favouring a tidal barrier, while businesses have raised concerns about the loss of 115 parking spaces on the quayside.

John Minihane, owner of Minihane's Pharmacy on Oliver Plunkett Street, said that the loss could be catastrophic for city businesses.

"The removal of a further 115 parking places in the Morrison's Island area will directly impact on the customers I have left," he said.

"Parking places on the Mall have already been reduced to facilitate bicycles and now we have this further reduction. The move is short-sighted and further undermines our ability to trade.

"My business, that has traded for 63 years, is slowly but surely being pulled under not by recession, not by competition but by the anti-trader policies adopted by Cork City Council."