Planning refused for proposed redevelopment of former Cork city pub

Plans to redevelop a former pub to create apartments and a new restaurant have failed to get the green light from Cork City Council.

In July applicant Packo Maguire submitted proposals for the redevelopment of the former Port Bar at 2 Victoria Rd.

The application proposed the demolition of the former pub with residence above, retaining the existing front façade of the building, and the construction of a four-storey building in its place with a restaurant on ground floor level and three two-bed apartments over the first, second and third floors.

A design statement submitted with the application said the overall strategy of the proposed development was to deliver a “high-quality restaurant and accommodation scheme, with retention of the existing Port Bar façade and restoration of the architectural features that contribute positively to the streetscape and reinforce the strength of the Architectural Conservation Area to Albert Quay and Victoria Road”.

“The reuse of the existing Port Bar and the repurposing of each level of the building will restore and reinforce the positive contribution of this building to the streetscape and to the social infrastructure of this site.

“The respectful addition of another level of accommodation will not detract from the streetscape,” it said.

The statement submitted that the proposed development represented a “great opportunity to redevelop a derelict building in an important area of the Albert Quay Architectural Conservation Area”.

However, Cork City Council has turned down the application, providing two reasons for its decision.

The local authority said the development proposed “extensive demolition of the existing structure, while retaining only the façade of a historic building within a designated Architectural Conservation Area”, and the construction a new four-storey unit which, the council considered, “does not contribute to the special or distinctive character of the designated Architectural Conservation Area”.

Cork City Council also said the proposal failed to provide adequate private open space which would result in a living environment of “low amenity value” and therefore would be considered “contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.