Plan includes national events centre and 1,500 homes
The North Docks Local Area Plan (LAP) sets out a vision for a new urban quarter in the city focusing on the River Lee and the Lower Glanmire Road and Kent Station areas.
The area, which extends from Brian Boru Street in the west to Water Street/Castleview Terrace in the east, and includes the railway station and surrounding lands on Horgan’s Quay, as well as residential and commercial areas along the Lower Glanmire Road, is one of the city’s most important strategic sites.
Its re-development is crucial to unlocking the wider development strategy for the Cork city region as a whole and the entire docklands region in particular, senior planners said.
The plan includes:
* a reconfigured Kent Railway Station fronting onto the River Lee.
* the potential for a new national conference or events centre on a site next to the railway station.
* approximately 1,500 new homes, including higher density apartments and family units concentrated on Horgan’s Quay.
* a new park with water-based activity, a continuous quay-side amenity area, and new smaller ‘pocket’ parks and spaces.
* improvements in public transport with new and improved pedestrian routes.
* a substantial amount of new commercial floor space.
* an improved Lower Glanmire Road made possible by a new two-way traffic system and public realm works.
City manager Joe Gavin welcomed the launch of the plan.
“The council is looking forward to implementing the plan through co-operating with public and private stakeholders,” he said.
Last year, Iarnród Eireann and Manor Park Homes announced a €500m joint-project to build thousands of new homes and commercial units on land at Horgan’s Quay.
Mr Gavin said while the council has had numerous discussions with Manor Park Homes, including talks on the provision of a conference centre, there was still no sign of a planning application. However, he said he was hopeful that An Bórd Pleanála would rule soon on another multi-million proposed development on nearby Water Street.
Iarnród Eireann is expected to seek planning permission soon for an estimated €4.5 redevelopment on the front concourse of Kent Station, he said.
“These two projects are to be welcomed.”
The North Docks LAP remains broadly similar to that established in the Cork Docklands Development Strategy launched in 2001, a spokesperson for the city council’s planning department said.
It called for the creation of a new urban quarter based upon best practice in planning, urban design and sustainable development built on the unique character of Cork and the dramatic setting of the docklands.
The LAP launched yesterday provides more detailed guidance to help realise that vision, the spokesman said.
“The plan is the culmination of a great deal of energy effort, imagination, and vision and we would therefore like to acknowledge the input of all those who contributed to its preparation, including the members of Cork City Council, council officials from the Planning Policy Section and other council departments, and the many stakeholders who participated in the consultation process,” the spokesman said.
The Docklands Directorate will be responsible for spearheading the implementation of the plan.
A draft plan went on public display early last year.
The LAP, which takes public submissions into account, was adopted by the council in December 2005 and replaces the draft plan.
Meanwhile, councillors were briefed last night on the progress of a local area plan for the south docks area, across the river.
Lead consultant, David Bosonnet of Brady Shipman Martin, said site visits are already underway.
Consultations will begin in a few weeks with relevant stakeholders with a draft plan due for public consultation in July.
The area provides an exiting and dynamic chance for the regeneration of the region, he said.
An study to assess the economic impact of the entire docklands regeneration is also underway.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
