Bam applies for planning extension for Cork Event Centre development

Developer Bam has applied for an extension to its planning permission for the long-awaited Cork Event Centre development.

With the current permission set to expire on June 19, Bam is requesting an extension of five years until June 18, 2030, in order to complete the construction of the facility.

In an extension of duration application lodged with Cork City Council, Bam said numerous delays will lead to the permission lapsing unless the extension is granted.

“Although significant positive progress has been made towards the full realisation of the scheme, there were significant delays to the commencement of development due to the funding of the development, as well as delays to construction as a result of the covid-19 pandemic and impact on supply chains as a result of the war on the Ukraine,” read the application.

Substantial works carried out

Bam said that by the time planning permission will expire on June 19, a substantial amount of works will have been carried out. 

This includes utility works such as water, telecommunications and ESB connections; site enabling works associated with the Quay Wall refurbishment and bridge installation; off-site construction of bridges, and the installation of a bridge connecting Crosse’s Green to the Event Centre

Bam said it has incurred expenditures of around €6,635,000 relating to the construction of the permitted development.

Former taoiseach Enda Kenny turned the sod on the then-€50m centre in 2016, with the 6,000 seater multi-purpose venue initially expected to be completed by 2018.

Cost soared

Since then, the cost has soared to in the region of €150m and the project has been hit with numerous delays, leading to the Government announcing last October that the project would be retendered, and a project development board, led up by assistant chief executive of Cork City Council, Brian Geaney, would be put together to oversee the development.

Labour TD Eoghan Kenny was told in January of this year that the re-tendering process is expected to take 12 to 18 months.

Speaking to The Echo, his party colleague Peter Horgan, councillor for Cork City South-East ward said: “Any entity can seek for extension of duration of planning and the planning department in city council will judge that process. 

"I await briefings from the project development board on the event centre tendering project, along with all elected members, but I would especially like to see a resolution far in advance of the mooted 18-month timeline.”