Homes development plan at former Cork city Vita Cortex site moves a step closer

Plans to build homes on the former Vita Cortex plant in Cork have progressed.

Recent planning documents submitted to Cork City Council on behalf of Fronville Ltd, a Galway-based company, said the proposed development in Ballyphehane, will “facilitate a future mixed-use residential development.” The documents also state it would not result in a traffic hazard to surrounding areas and would not injure amenities in the vicinity.

Prior to development, investigations revealed that there is historic soil and groundwater contamination at the site, which will need to be addressed before works can begin.

“The investigations and subsequent reports produced identified potential risks to human health and the environment from the contamination on site which require mitigation through remediation,” the documents said.

The documents further revealed that remediation works will involve a combination of excavation and offsite disposal of impacted soils, pump and treatment of groundwater and importation of stone/ soil for backfilling. 

An on-site temporary compound is also proposed for the duration of the proposed remediation works.

Earlier this week, Cork City Council granted the planning permission for remediation works, with one submission noted from Inland Fisheries Ireland which stated should permission be granted for the residential development, planning conditions must ensure “there can be no contaminated discharge to waters either via percolation or the foul/ storm water networks.”

The site, where the old Vita Cortex factory was situated, is well-known for a sit-in staged by workers over 13 years ago, after the company announced the closure of its facility. The industrial action was taken by workers after they were let go with immediate effect and without redundancy payments. 

Demolition of the remaining buildings and removal of remaining pipework and pumping equipment at the plant were completed in February last year, following an application submitted to the council on behalf of Faithbrook Ltd in 2021.