€100m business park gets go-ahead

A €100 MILLION business and retail park in Cork has been given the go-ahead, subject to conditions, by An Bord Pleanála.

The development will provide for up to 1,200 jobs, and will include retail warehousing, offices and a motor mall.

The planning board's decision clears the way for marketing and construction to start at the Fota Retail and Business Park, six miles east of Cork city.

The project, which adjoins the Cork to Midleton rail line, which is due to re-open, is on the site of the former Youghal Carpets spinning plant, and is on the edge of booming Carrigtwohill.

Developers are Joe Carey and Dan Mulvihill of the Fota Business Partnership, who bought the carpet making plant last year for €8m.

Cork County Council granted permission for the €100m retail warehouse, office and business park earlier this year.

A third party appeal was lodged to An Bord Pleanála by O'Flynn Construction, developers of the nearby East Gate business and retail park, centred on the open retail planning conditions allowed at the development by Cork County Council.

An Bord Pleanála has decided to allow the Fota Business Park proceed, subject to 15 conditions, one of which restricts the type of retail use, as sought in O'Flynn Construction's appeal.

Condition 2 states: "The range of goods for sale shall be confined to bulky/heavy goods in the following categories: Do It Yourself, gardening goods, white goods, furniture, floor covering and auto products. The sale of convenience or other comparison goods shall not be permitted."

The Fota development now has planning permission for up to 10,580 sq metres of retail warehouse type uses. Also envisaged is a 1,200 space park and ride facility to be served by a proposed rail link to Cork city, and a motor mall/car sales showrooms.