Council to consult public over plan for suburban area

CORK city council will begin public consultations next week as part of a masterplan for an area critics say is plagued with overdevelopment.

The council wants to hear from the public to help it draw up an Area Action Plan for the Bishopstown and Wilton areas.

The area is broadly defined by Sarsfield Road, Wilton Road, Victoria Cross to the east, the Curraheen River to the west, the River Lee to the north, and the South Ring Road.

Several multi-storey apartment developments, including student accommodation, have been built in recent years.

A lot of local anger focused on developments on the Victoria and Dennehy’s Cross areas in particular.

The controversial trend prompted the setting up of an anti-high rise lobby group, Communities for Sustainable Development, just over two years ago.

The council’s planning department said its plan will focus on “improvement strategies” for the Victoria Cross in particular.

It will also focus on:

A development and improvement strategy to create a strong heart in the area, focussing on the Wilton Shopping Centre and Bishopstown Village areas;

The development of public open space and recreational strategies for the area, including the Lee Fields, Murphy’s Farm, and riverside walkways.

Proposals for reducing the impact of traffic in the area by major institutions like Cork University Hospital, CIT and FÁS.

Staff from the council’s planning policy team will man an information stand at the Wilton Shopping Centre on Tuesday, March 14, on Wednesday, March 15, between 3pm-8pm.

The stand will be in the mall area outside of Tesco superstore.

People were invited to express their views on how the area should be developed and improved.

Submissions can also be made directly to the planning and development directorate by 5pm on Friday April 7.

Submissions can be made by email to [e-mail] or by post to director of planning and development directorate and city engineer, Navigation House, Albert Quay, Cork.

A report on the issues raised will be made available on the council’s website later.

Public consultation will begin next week to identify the key development issues in the area.