Man’s 285-acre land gift to city in doubt

THE millionaire businessman who gifted 285-acres of prime development land to the people of Cork says he hopes the site will become a Phoenix Park of the south.

Speaking for the first time about his generous offer, Richard Wood, the 59-year-old chairman of concrete and gravel giant John A Wood Ltd, said using the land for horse riding, athletics meets, country walks, concerts and farmers markets were on his wish list.

“The pastoral character of the land would have to be maintained. As many activities as possible that are consistent with the land’s character should take place here,” he said.

However, plans for a northern ring road around the city, published before Christmas, could scupper the entire deal.

Mr Wood, who is single, said he has been thinking about the future of his land for almost 10 years.

“I have no direct heirs and their interests lie elsewhere. It is their attitude to this that allows this offer to take place. But I have been bounced into going public with the announcement because of the National Roads Authority’s (NRA) plans for the ring road. My intentions are now in writing and in the public domain.”

Mr Wood has written to Cork’s city manager Joe Gavin offering 285 acres of his land at Carrigrohane to the city council for free, at an unspecified date in the future.

The main parcel of 222 acres lies on either side of the Carrigrohane Road and includes Mr Wood’s house, Rockrohan, his extensive gardens, rolling parkland and woods. The second 63-acre parcel runs south from Carrigrohane Bridge.

However, one of three proposed routes for the northern ring road would slice right through the 222-acre parcel.

If this route is chosen, it would ruin the integrity of the site and the offer is off the table, Mr Wood said.

Lobbying of the NRA is expected to ensure its decision makers are aware of the enormity of the opportunity provided by Mr Wood’s offer. A decision on a route is expected in September.

Mr Wood said he offered his land to the city council because he felt city people would benefit more.

The county council’s failure to grasp the importance of the Fota House restoration project which Mr Wood led for many years also influenced his decision, he said.

Mr Wood also assured that he has legal advice that the land is his to offer.

A former director of failed mining company Bula Ltd, Mr Wood was embroiled in a bitter 277-day High Court battle - the longest in Irish legal history - following attempts in the early 90s by its receiver to sell the company to Tara Mines.

The case resulted in massive legal bills estimated at up to €20m. Bula’s bankers were left with debts of up to €73m.

Some city councillors said they feared the banks may block any attempts to transfer the land.