Blackpool development 'needs to go to full consultation', says councillor

Bypassing of planning procedures for a new development in Blackpool contradicts local democracy and community engagement, a Sinn Féin councillor has said.

Kenneth Collins has written to Cork City Council to request that they engage in the Part 8 process for a development beside Neptune Stadium.

However, the council have said that correct processes have been followed.

The proposed development is at Gerald Griffin Street/Burke’s Avenue, at a site owned by Cork City Council, and will consist of 67 new apartments: 31 one-, 29 two- and seven three-bedroom units, as well as two community rooms.

A total of 41 housing units were originally planned, with construction to begin in 2018. “The council were previously granted planning permission for this site. Sinn Féin voted in favour of this development, because we do believe that there need to be homes built on the site,” Mr Collins said. “However, they now have a new plan for the site and are going to bypass the normal planning processes.

“I have written to the council, outlining my belief the proposal is not in line with the City Development Plan,” he said.

Mr Collins believes the development “needs to go to full consultation”.

“We are seeing a lot of development in the Blackpool area and the community have been largely supportive of this, but that has to be matched with infrastructure and green spaces. These are the kind of details that can be ironed out in consultation.

“I do not believe that the solution to this housing crisis is to take away power from communities or local government,” Mr Collins said, adding that the council have planning on the site that they “have sat on for four years”.

“We need to see homes built in this city, but we also need to see communities built, empowered and strengthened.”

A Cork City Council spokesperson said: “Section 179A allows an exemption to the Part 8 planning process for local authorities, once certain conditions are met,” adding that this is “part of the Government’s plan to streamline and accelerate the delivery of social, affordable and cost-rental housing”.

The spokesperson said: “Where a development falls within the criteria set out, the local authority is obliged to follow this exemption process, rather than the usual Part 8 planning process.

“The development proposed at Gerald Griffin Street will remediate a derelict and vacant site, and bring new families to Blackpool village, meeting a critical need for housing in this area.

“If the development falls within the criteria of Section 179A of the Act (as amended), then Cork City Council will be obliged to follow that exemption process. As the proposed development is still at final design stage, the council has not yet progressed the planning process and it has not been advertised.”

Sinn Féin TF for Cork North Central, Thomas Gould, said that he spoke and voted against this legislation in the Dáil. “We are seeing the reality of these warnings laid bare in Blackpool.

“It is wrong to lay the blame for the issues with housing in this State at the feet of the planning system. The reality is that failed government policies and ridiculously complex funding processes are the real barriers to delivering social and affordable housing in Cork city.”

“Ordinary people deserve to have a say in what is happening and being built in their area. People in Blackpool have proven themselves time and again to be constructive and supportive of new housing,” he concluded.