‘Sectional interests’ put ahead of public in school planning decision

A CORK city councillor has claimed that sectional interests were put ahead of the public interest in previous decisions relating to a planning application for a gaelscoil on the city’s northside.

Cllr Tim Brosnan made his remarks in an appeal to An Bord Pleanála, asking it to uphold the recent vote of Cork City Council not to rezone part of the Tank Field in Mayfield for a 16-classroom school. He wrote that the last time the case was up for decision, the planning inspector who reviewed the case, councillors and the Cork city development plan were overridden by the board.

In 2007, the first application for the new building for Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn did not give enough votes from councillors to change the zoning of the field from sports use and allow the project proceed.

But An Bord Pleanála overturned that decision and granted permission in March 2008, despite the recommendation of its own inspector to refuse planning permission.

The Department of Education had to submit plans to move the building slightly last March after difficulties emerged about moving GAA goalposts on the pitches under overhead power cables. The council again refused permission last month when members voted against rezoning the site, but the department has appealed the decision.

In his appeal, the Fianna Fáil councillor who represents the council ward where the Tank Field is located, claimed that An Bord Pleanála’s 2008 decision benefited the department, the coffers of Cork City Council, the GAA and the children who need a school.

"Who lost — the elected representatives of Cork City Council, the children who need a place to play, the public who have had a right of way for a long time. Yes, sectional interests won — supported by An Bord Pleanála," Cllr Brosnan wrote.

The Department of Education’s appeal claims the rezoning vote last month was not necessary as the new application was merely to modify plans already approved by the board. It also argued that the provision of a new school building for the gaelscoil, which is in prefabs on the grounds of Brian Dillon's GAA club next to the Tank Field, was of strategic importance.

But Cllr Brosnan’s appeal said "the notion that the building of a school in an area with massive overcapacity in primary sector can be classed as ‘strategic’ in a bankrupt country is perverse to say the least".

"The public interest in sustainable planning requires the preservation of all the Tank Field as a sports area. It requires that the Department of Education manage its affairs judiciously and makes best use of the resources it already has in the area," he wrote.

He suggested that the availability of alternative sites be considered by An Bord Pleanála.

Irish Examiner

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Council seeks more details on €150m plan for Beamish site

CORK CITY Council has sought further information from Heineken Ireland and BAM Contractors on their plan to develop a €150 million heritage quarter on the site of the former Beamish Crawford brewery in Cork.

Cork City Council had been due to give a decision yesterday on the project, which incorporates a 6,000-capacity event centre.

Instead, however, it has sought further information, giving the applicants six weeks to respond to a number of queries.

Heineken Ireland corporate affairs manager Declan Farmer said it had already worked with council planners in “an open and engaging way” and would continue to do so.

Heineken Ireland and BAM Contractors, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dutch giant Royal BAM Group, applied for planning permission for the project last December and throughout January briefed the public on their proposals for the 1.8 hectare site.

The project, called “the Brewery Quarter”, features a mixed scheme of shops, bars, restaurants, an eight-screen cinema, exhibition areas, 46 student apartments and a viewing tower, as well as the event centre.

According to Mr Farmer, the project has been carefully designed to conserve Beamish Crawford’s historic Counting House with its mock Tudor facade fronting on to South Main Street, which will be incorporated into the entire development.

Mr Farmer said the plan also involves the construction of two new pedestrian bridges across the south channel of the river Lee, which bounds the property on both its southern and western flanks, and these will link the site to Cross’s Green and French’s Quay-Proby’s Quay.

“The plan will contribute to the local environment by opening up a new North-South route in sympathy with the original streets and lanes from the Grand Parade across to the unique landmarks of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Elizabeth Fort and Proby’s Quay,” he said.

The entire area is highly historic as it is near the site of the current St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, where St Finbarr founded a monastery in the 6th century, while in 2004 archaeologists found evidence Vikings had built a colony near the South Gate Bridge.

The Beamish Crawford site is also historic in that brewing began there in 1690, and up to its closure in May 2009 it was the oldest continuously operating brewery in Ireland. Mr Farmer said this will be recognised in the project.

Heineken and BAM Contractors have engaged extensively with music industry promoters Live Nation, which operates the O2 in Dublin, to ensure the event centre will be a world-class performance venue, said Mr Farmer.

He said they believe the project, which will take three years to complete, would bring a significant regeneration benefit to Cork city centre while adding to the city’s reputation as an attractive tourist destination.

Irish Times

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