The site of the former Blarney Park Hotel is to be developed into almost 140 homes for Cork City Council.

The council has published the plans under the Part 8 planning process for the 3.7 hectare site at St Ann’s Road, Monacnapa, Blarney. Under the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028, the site was zoned for a new residential neighbourhood.

The plan described the site as being of “strategic importance to the town" of Blarney, adding: “The site has been vacant for many years and its redevelopment is paramount to sustaining Blarney as one of the country's prime tourist attractions.” 

The plan by Cork City Council includes the construction of 138 residential units comprising a mix of four-bed semi-detached houses; three-bed detached, semi-detached and townhouses; two-bed semi-detached and townhouses, and two and one bed apartments.

A civic centre is included in the plan, incorporating a public library, community café and a creche for 32 children. Pedestrian and cyclist facilities will be incorporated into the development, which will also include parking for both bicycles and cars.

The site is to be developed for Cork City Council by way of a Project Agreement with HRP Construction Limited.

According to the planning documents, Appropriate Assessment Screening has been carried out on the proposed development, in accordance with the Habitats Directive, to establish any “impacts upon the Cork Harbour Special Protection Area [Site No. 004030], Blackwater River Special Area Of Conservation [site code 002170] and the Great Island Channel Special Area of Conservation [Site No. 001058]”.

The site is located within the Blarney Architectural Conservation Area and is close to Blarney Castle.

The plan to redevelop the site is the latest step in an ongoing saga since the hotel was damaged by fire in 2008.

The hotel itself was opened in 1969 and had closed in October 2007 as part of plans for a mixed-use development on the site. Efforts to subsequently sell the hotel failed during the crash of the Celtic Tiger.

In 2015, a receiver was appointed to Zalaal, the company which then owned the hotel.

In December 2022, the operators of Blarney Castle were successful in a High Court challenge against the decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for an 80-bed hotel, supermarket, cafe, office block and commercial buildings on the site.

The closing date for submissions and observations on Cork City Council’s proposal is Wednesday, May 6 at 4pm. They can be sent electronically at https://consult.corkcity.ie/ or in writing to ‘Programme Manager, Housing Delivery & Regeneration, Housing Directorate, Cork City Council, City Hall, Cork T12 T997.

The plans can be examined until Tuesday, 21st April at https://consult.corkcity.ie/ or at the offices of Cork City Council, City Hall, Anglesea Street.