Public's input sought on draft plan to revitalise Shandon 

‘Let’s talk about Shandon,’ Cork City Council have urged as they host public-consultation events on how to transform the historic northside area.

Funded by the Government’s Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme (THRIVE), Cork City Council will set out a roadmap for the revitalisation of the neighbourhood.

The scheme was launched by Minister of State for Local Government and Planning Kieran O’Donnell earlier this year to ensure that local authorities engage with their citizens to develop plans, select suitable projects, and identify viable end uses for under-utilised heritage buildings.

Alongside their project partners AtkinsRéalis, John McLaughlin Architects, and the Shandon community, the city council will develop an ambitious heritage-led integrated urban strategy (IUS) for Shandon.

The local authority is inviting members of the public to attend consultation events to discuss the draft IUS and how best to drive regeneration in Shandon.

These events follow on from a consultation event in August attended by 140 people and with 190 survey responses received, and further targeted stakeholder engagements carried out.

The feedback has been taken on board and a draft IUS for the Shandon area has been prepared.

This will be presented at two further consultations at Dance Cork Firkin Crane this coming week: On Wednesday, October 23 and Thursday, October 24 from 4-7pm. This will include a short address at 6pm each evening by the project partners.

Sharon McDonnell, senior executive planner, Cork City Council, said: 

“We are delighted at the extent of interest and quality of feedback received over a range of engagement activities during the first phase of the project, all of which has been used to inform the draft integrated urban strategy for Shandon.

“The draft strategy sets out several actions and projects, including a number of priority projects, which we are keen to hear feedback on to ensure they are sufficiently responsive to local need. 

“We look forward to meeting everyone and hearing your views at the drop in events next Wednesday and Thursday evening.”

The draft IUS will be available to view on Cork City Council’s public-consultation portal from Monday, October 21, in advance of the consultation events.

The submission period will remain open for four weeks. Full details can be found on the Cork City Council website.