Planning sought for residential scheme at former Cope Foundation site in Cork city

Planning permission has been lodged for 35 residential units at the site of a former Cope Foundation Facility located at Vicars Road in Togher.

Developers Boars Head Limited have applied for permission for the demolition of the buildings, including the day service hub, former workshop stores, offices and canteen as well as two blocks of two storey semi-detached interconnected houses on the site and an ESB substation.

The proposed development to replace the demolished buildings includes the construction of a discount food store and off-licence. 

This is proposed as part of a larger mixed-use redevelopment scheme consisting of the construction of 35 residential units consisting of 10 one-bed, 15 two-beds, 9 three-beds and one four-bed supported living unit. 

The construction of a community hub/day service facility is also proposed, as well as small ground floor retail units; a café and hair salon and a replacement ESB substation. 

The development will be served by 93 car parking spaces, cycle parking spaces, a bin store, trolley bays, staff facilities, a set down area and delivery/loading bay.

The proposed development site extends to 1.31 hectares, with the retail component occupying approximately 0.825 hectares of the overall site. 

A decision on the plans by the council is expected on February 7 next year.

Following an audit into the service in 2021, the Cope Foundation said that it was planning to migrate the services on site to smaller, more locally-based hubs and daycare centres.