Call for vacant Cork city centre landmark site to be brought back into public use

FRESH calls have been made for Cork City Council to consider a ‘meanwhile use' for a landmark site on Sullivan’s Quay which was previously earmarked for the development of a hotel.

The calls come amid uncertainty over the future of the site where a 2018 grant of planning for a hotel and offices has expired.

The former tax office had been earmarked for the mixed-use development after BAM Property Limited was granted conditional planning permission by Cork City Council in November 2017.

The decision was later appealed by a third party, but in June 2018 An Bord Pleanála ruled to uphold the council’s decision.

Last month, BAM said it was reviewing its options for the site, prompting fears that the riverside site could remain vacant and unused for several more years.

Green Party councillor Dan Boyle proposed a motion that the council acquire the former government buildings site to be developed as a city park.

Mr Boyle said there is an opportunity for the Council to look at the City Development Plan as to how it might be able to identify this particular site close to the city centre which he said would “add to the quality of life in our city if we were to reconfigure it as open space”.

Sinn Féin councillor Mick Nugent supported Mr Boyle’s motion and also questioned how BAM could “just leave a site like that, a prime spot, vacant”.

Speaking to The Echo, he said: “It was tied in with progress, or lack of, in terms of the event centre and if the event centre was there or nearly there, it might make some sense in a hotel there but for now it’s a vacant site.

“[BAM] obviously own the property so it’s not going to come into public hands unless the council presses that issue but the council could contact the owners and see if it can be used for what they call meanwhile use and see if it is possible for it to be used to benefit the public, whether that’s a park or a recreation area.” 

'EYESORE'

Socialist councillor Brian McCarthy said during the meeting that while people in the city were glad to see the “eyesore that used to be on that site” demolished, they were not enthusiastic about the news that a hotel would be built on the site.

“It’s an absolutely stunning location with panoramic views over the river and across the Grand Parade so I think a hotel would be a complete waste of the potential of that site,” he said.

He said that while he would not be opposed to a park on the site, consideration could be given to using the site to showcase Cork’s history, given its close proximity to the medieval quarter, St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Elizabeth Fort and Nano Nagle Place.

“Instead of a place for people to stay, we should have a place for people to go, to visit, to enjoy, not just for tourists but for everyone who calls this city their home,” he said.

“In the past, I’ve said we need more open green spaces and I still firmly believe that and I wouldn’t be opposed to a park on this site, but I think we could be looking at a range of options. It should definitely take public ownership. A site like that should be used for the benefit of the public.” 

Speaking following the council meeting, Director of Strategic and Economic Development Fearghal Reidy said: “Cork City Council is pursuing a number of options including Residential Zoned Land Tax and Derelict Sites Levies for vacancy and dereliction across the city. The City Council will consider meanwhile uses for these sites.”