Cork city planning for a better future with a number of exciting developments in the pipeline
Am artists impression of the proposed mixed-use development on the site of the former Rochestown Inn. Image: gnet3d.com.
THE latter part of 2023 has seen a significant number of planning applications lodged and decided on for proposed commercial developments in the city.
In recent months, there has been a grant of retention planning permission for one of the city’s most popular amenities, fresh proposals for the redevelopment of a local landmark in Rochestown, and proposals for a new eatery in the heart of the city and a new café at a southside suburb - to name a few.
One application of note lodged with Cork City Council in September was a proposed mixed-use development at the site of the former Rochestown Inn, badly damaged by a fire in 2015.
The application, submitted by Niorsesa Ltd, includes plans for a café, bar and 12 apartments – made up equally of six one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units.
The plans, if green-lit, would see the demolition of the former pub and adjacent dwelling and the construction of a new structure - ranging from two to four storeys in height - to facilitate the new bar, café and apartments and one private office space.
Commenting following the submission, Fine Gael councillor Deirdre Forde said that “any planning application that is progressive for Cork city is to be welcomed”.
“Obviously, any planning application must be closely scrutinised to ensure that it is beneficial to the area and doesn’t impact on quality of life for residents and is in line with the City Development Plan,” she added.
A proposal to redevelop the former Rochestown Inn was rejected by Cork City Council in early 2021.
City council has sought further information before it makes a decision on the latest application.
The local authority has asked the applicant to go back to the drawing board in relation to a number of aspects – including reducing the number of apartments proposed and revising the design.
An increased quantum of on-site car-parking is also among the revisions sought, with the council stating that there are “concerns that the proposed development will lead to illegal parking, dangerous parking and parking in nearby residential areas causing potential safety concerns”.
The applicants have until early May to submit the further information.
Also in September, the future of Cork’s Marina Market was secured after Cork City Council granted retention planning permission for the popular amenity.
A fresh planning application was lodged earlier this year with the local authority by CPR Properties Cork Limited seeking permission to maintain their use of the former Southern Fruits Distribution Company warehouse as a market/food emporium for a period of five years.
The application also sought permission for a number of other proposed measures including additional market units, the provision of 44 bicycle parking spaces, the rationalisation of the existing car park and an additional 29 spaces.
Speaking to following the grant of retention planning permission, the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Kieran McCarthy warmly welcomed the decision but highlighted the importance of working closely with the planning authority.
“I’m delighted that people sat down and went through the issues with the planning and that those have been ironed out,” he said.
The Lord Mayor said that it is important that people are aware of the planning system.
“The main issue is that it didn’t have planning,” he said.
“It had woven its way into the hearts of Corkonians, but when it came to the black-and-white print, it needed to be sorted out, so I am glad that it is sorted.
“But the message is to make sure you work with the planning authority as closely as possible, especially if you’ve got a project that’s important for the city such as the Marina Market.”
A spokesperson for Marina Market thanked all involved in the process, particularly Cork City Council, which the spokesperson said showed “exceptional vision and were thorough and fair to all concerned at all times”.
In other food-related developments, a ‘Nua-ddition’ could be in store for MacCurtain St as the operators behind popular eatery Nua Asador have set their sights on establishing a second location in Cork city.
Craft butcher Tom Durcan and accomplished chef Victor França lodged a planning application in October under the name of Tom Durcan Meats Limited with Cork City Council seeking permission for what is described as a “bespoke take-away/restaurant” at the ground floor of 18 MacCurtain St.
The application, if green lit, would see the change of use from a taxi base, formerly Amer Cabs and Cara Cabs, to a second location for Nua Asador outside of its Marina Market stall.
Speaking to , Mr Durcan said the idea is to “duplicate” the Marina Market business which he said is “going very well” since it was established approximately two years ago.
In November, Cork City Council submitted a request for further information (RFI) before city planners make a decision on the application.
The RFI primarily seeks clarification on how the building - a mid-19th century structure included on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage - will be preserved.
The council has sought detailed proposal drawings illustrating all proposed works to the front elevation of the building, including any signage and lighting.
Given the architectural significance of the building and its location within an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA), city council said “the removal of items such as the historic door, doorway and overlight, the timber shopfront and any alteration to the size of the existing display window (which has historic chamfered detailing) will not be permitted”.
It has requested a “detailed method statement for repair and conservation works to be carried out [to] the building”. The applicants have six months to submit the information requested.
Also in October, Cork Coffee Roasters was granted permission to set to open its fifth coffee shop in Cork.
In August, the company lodged a planning application with Cork City Council to open up at 12a Ballinlough Rd.
The application sought permission for some minor alterations to existing elevations and internal alterations to the existing unit and all associated site works.
The premises, adjacent to Our Lady of Lourdes National School, was previously occupied by Bean Brownie before it ceased trading in June.
Cork Coffee Roasters opened its first premises on Bridge St in the city centre in 2008, followed by a second unit on French Church St, which opened in 2015.
It also operates a coffee shop on Anglesea St and at St Luke’s.
Additionally in October, revised plans for Munster Rugby’s proposed Centre of Excellence in Cork were green lit.
The original application was approved in 2019 and the fresh proposals sought a minor alteration to those plans.
The new facility at the Pearse Rd end of the stadium is set to include a synthetic all-weather playing surface, gymnasium, changing rooms, treatment rooms, storage and office space and staff welfare areas.
The plans also include a new parking area within the site and all other ancillary site works including a ticketing booth and bicycle parking.
The planned new facility is to be built primarily for Munster’s underage and development sides and will also serve the surrounding community and be available to local clubs, schools and community groups.
Earlier this year, Munster Rugby sought to incorporate office space within the new development, lodging a new planning application with the city council.
A document accompanying the application stated that, since the permission was granted for the new facility in 2019, Munster Rugby had “assessed the evolving operational requirements of Musgrave Park”.
The office space within the new development is to replace the existing single storey office building to the south of Musgrave Park.
Cork City Council sought some further information before making a decision on the application and subsequently green lit the revised plans, subject to 18 conditions.
And in the city centre, plans for a major expansion of the Penneys store on Patrick St were approved by An Bord Pleanála in November.
The plans will see the retail space of the store increase in size by 17,000 sq ft to 54,000 sq ft, with the project encompassing a site that stretches from Robert St to Cook St and from Patrick St to Oliver Plunkett St.
Cork City Council had approved the plans submitted by Primark Limited and O’Flynn Construction (Cork) Unlimited Company last year, but a third-party appeal was subsequently lodged with the planning board.
There are 11 conditions attached to the board’s approval of the extension.
App?
