Locals appeal against housing development at former Vita Cortex site in Cork city

An appeal has been launched against the decision to approve a 170-unit residential development at the site of the former Vita Cortex plant in Cork.

Plans to construct a large-scale residential development (LRD) at the former Vita Cortex site on the Kinsale Rd and Pearse Rd, submitted to Cork City Council by BML Duffy Property Group in June, were approved by the local authority last month.

The development will consist of 158 apartments and 12 townhouse apartments in four tower blocks ranging in height from four to nine storeys, comprising a mix of 51 one-bed units, 84 two-bed units, and 35 three-bed units.

The plans for the project also provide for a creche, a cafe, a management office at ground-floor level of block three, and four retail units on the public plaza at ground-floor level.

There are also provisions for 82 shared car-parking spaces, 13 charging points for electric vehicles; six wheelchair-accessible spaces, three of which will be for electric vehicles; and 514 bicycle parking spaces, located in four bike sheds, which would be either undercroft or at ground-floor level.

Other associated features include an ESB substation, roads, green roofs, and solar panels; new access points for vehicles and pedestrians from the Kinsale Rd and Pearse Rd, as well as a number of bin stores.

The proposed development will also facilitate the future expansion of BusConnects along Kinsale Rd.

OBJECTIONS

An appeal opposing the decision to approve the development was lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála last week, following the submission of more than 30 objections to the planning application by local residents, sporting groups, and Government agencies.

Among the submissions made relating to the application were representatives from the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), Dolphin Rugby Football Club, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

Philip Quinn of the IRFU said that while the sporting organisation does not object in principle to “much-needed housing”, it wishes to highlight a potential for conflict between existing operations at Virgin Media Park and the proposed residential use of the site.

“Our operations include regular fixtures, training seasons, and outdoor music concert events — many of which are inherently noise-generating,” Mr Quinn said.

“Both the developers and future residents must be made fully aware of the potential impacts associated with living close to an active sports and events facility.”

Additionally, several objections were submitted by local residents, who highlighted concerns with the height of the buildings, increased traffic density, a lack of parking due to a growing population in the area, and environmental issues.

The site of the development itself has been subject to extensive media attention in the past, as in 2011, workers at the Vita Cortex factory — where foam for furniture and packaging was produced — conducted a peaceful 160-day sit-in protest due to a dispute over enforced redundancies without pay just before Christmas.

The dispute led to nationwide protests, a television appeal, and was the subject of debates in Dáil Éireann.

Following the attention garnered from the workers’ protest, a resolution for an undisclosed sum was reached.

An Coimisiún Pleanála is due to make a decision by December 17.