Tesco Express go-ahead

Planning has been granted by An Bord Pleanála for a proposed Tesco Express and a Doc Morris pharmacy on the main Douglas Road in Cork city, by St Finbarr’s Hospital.

The planning green light for Dublin-based developers Monti came after Cork City Council last year refused the application. The plans, which included an off-licence, had attracted over 30 observations and leaflet drops by local councillors opposing the change of use of the former Douglas Motors/Renault site.

The planning appeal board overruled its own inspector’s report on the planning application after she also recommended a refusal. The board ruled that “the proposal for two shops at this location constituted a beneficial reuse of an existing commercial building at an acceptable location,” though it accepted some deficiencies in terms of urban design.

The application from Monti/Douglas Road Developments was for two shops, one of 383 sq m gross area to include an off-licence, the other of 129 sq m.

The site was sold a year ago by Lisneys for close to €700,000, after about 20 inquiries. It’s close to St Finbarr’s Hospital, as well as to the former Nemo Rangers GAA pitches, currently up for sale for residential redevelopment via Savills and which is under very active negotiation, with a multi-million euro deal understood to be imminent. It has planning in place for up to 100 units.