Council scathing in criticism of quay development plan

CORK’S city councillors want to meet the board of CIÉ to thrash out issues surrounding the crucial, but stalled, development of a key city docklands site.

The call was made after major deficiencies, including serious design issues, were revealed as the reasons behind planners’ refusal of a multi-million apartment scheme on the company’s Horgan’s Quay site two months ago.

City officials have laid bare, for the first time, 13 main reasons behind planners’ decision to reject the Manor Park Homes’s project on a portion of the CIÉ-owned Horgan’s Quay site — a crucial area in the city’s multi-billion docklands regeneration plans.

It was hoped the long-awaited planning application by CIÉ’s development partners would include a masterplan for the entire quay site allowing for the development of a conference centre, in line with the city’s docklands strategy, and the revamp of Kent Railway Station.

But the application was confined to the eastern side of Horgan’s Quay and included 276 residential units, eight retail units, two commercial units, three showroom units, a crèche, and a temporary access road to the proposed new concourse of Kent Railway station.

In a scathing critique of the proposal, planners said it did not address the council’s overall goal of redeveloping the Horgan’s Quay site.

They highlighted serious urban design issues and a lack of a comprehensive approach by the applicants and landowners. Some of the main reasons for the refusal included:

Failure to provide for the design for a new Kent Station and square.
Failure to adequately provide for a new national road and appropriate network of streets.
Failure to provide a high quality public realm and any public open space.
Failure to provide a quayside amenity area in any form on Horgan’s Quay.
Failure to properly conserve a goods depot, listed as a protected structure.
Failure to provide pedestrian links to the city centre.
Failure to provide proper transport and traffic management scenarios.
Unacceptably tall buildings which are contrary to the city development plan.
Unacceptable impact on views towards Montenotte and Tivoli and others areas of special character.

The application also failed to show how social or affordable houses would be provided on site.

City manager Joe Gavin, who is set to bring new proposals before the council tonight designed to secure a conference centre for the city, said the application as lodged could not be given the green light.

Manor Park Homes has appealed the council’s decision to An Bord Pleanála. A number of residents have also lodged appeals. A decision is due in July.

Despite the company’s appeal, Mr Gavin said he is unsure how the proposed sale of Manor Park Homes will affect the company’s development plans Horgan’s Quay.