Docklands planning permissions being prepared

THE property company RPIF, which owns the site on which the Topaz oil terminal is positioned on Cork’s South Docklands has confirmed it is preparing a planning application for the commercial development of the area.

A spokesman said that the application will be prepared within the coming three or four months.

The timing of any development on the site would be dependent on Topaz’s requirement to operate the site as well as market conditions and ruled out any development in the short term.

The spokesman added the plan would fit with the strategic plan the Cork local authorities have put together for some time for the South Docks area.

The application would involve a mixture of retail and office facilities.

Topaz, which operates the terminal on the site under a lease from RPIF, has also confirmed that it is reviewing the use of the terminal, which may lead to an end to regular road loading at the facility on Centre Park Road.

Oil tankers fuel directly at the terminal for distribution to businesses, homes and petrol stations throughout the Cork area.

A spokesman for Topaz said no final decision had yet been taken and there are a number of commercial considerations to be resolved, including discussions which are underway for product supply from alternative locations.

It is understood also that the company has no plans to decommission the terminal on Cork quays at present and that it will continue to use the terminal for the storage of fuel supplies.

“We recognise the importance of relocating fuel storage and distribution facilities out of the South Docklands area and we believe that if we can reach agreement on alternatives, this would be positive news for the future development of the area,” he said.

Both companies are owned by the same group of shareholders with Ion Equity, owners of SWS in Bandon, Co Cork, a key stakeholder in both the property and the oil distribution group.