Cork City Council seeks further information on 'Mahon 2.0' plan

Cork City Council has sought further information before a proposed €200m development at Mahon Point can be given the green light.

The planned development at Cork’s largest retail complex, which has been dubbed ‘Mahon 2.0’, would see a major expansion of the centre.

The development would see the construction of 251 apartments, an office block for up to 580 workers, a new civic plaza/market square for gatherings such as the weekly farmer’s markets, a multi-storey car park, a discount retailer, and eight to 10 additional “bigger box” shops.

An application for planning permission was lodged with Cork City Council in July by Deka Immobilien for the mixed-use development.

However, the city council has written to Deka seeking clarity on a number of points before it can proceed with approving the plans.

Transform

“The development has the potential to transform Mahon Point into an exemplary new urban centre,” the council said.

“While the principle of the proposed development is considered acceptable, the planning authority has concerns in relation to elements of the proposed development, including the scope of the retail impact assessment, traffic and transport impacts, permeability and connectivity to the wider Mahon area, and some elements of the architectural design approach.”

When the proposed development, which would create 1,900 jobs, was first announced in June, several members of the council voiced concerns about increased traffic levels in an area already prone to congestion.

The then lord mayor of Cork, Green Party councillor Dan Boyle, said he was hopeful that any development would favour public transport.

However, Fianna Fáil councillor Terry Shannon said that while the development was a clear vote of confidence in the area, he believed public transport would not always be suitable in every circumstance.

“Some people will tell you get more buses, but that’s really not the answer because people don’t go shopping on the bus,” he said.