Boathouse and apartments planned for waterfront

A DRAMATIC €50 million plan to transform a waterfront in Blackrock village, Cork, has been lodged with the city council.

It proposes a multi-million euro boathouse and club facilities for the long-established Cork Boat Club, 119 apartments and a small office unit.

It proposes reclamation of up to half-an-acre of public foreshore, the provision of a public boardwalk along the water’s edge, as well as private slips and pontoons for the rowing club’s use.

Permission is being sought jointly by the Cork Boat Club and by Grangefield Developments, a company headed up by businessman Seán Keohane, who has spent the last three years assembling the site, which runs from the village towards Blackrock Castle,underneath the elevated Castle Road.

Yesterday’s planning application, which follows extensive pre-planning talks, does not include centralvillage properties, such as Iagos food hall and the scout hall, which Mr Keohane has also acquired.

The local authority recently drafted a Blackrock area action plan for the village, which included a new public park and amenities, in which it indicated heights for developments at three floors.

The project envisages staggered groups of apartments, built from three to five storeys, over basement parking for 121 cars.

A spokesperson for Grangefield said it had stepped down parts of the development to maintain river views for houses along Castle Road - home to some valuable residences. The application is for a 1.3 ha/3.3-acre assembled site includes the long-demolished Brighton House site.

The new boat housefacilities, with a further 19 car parking lower level spaces, are at the far or eastern end, relocating Cork Boat Club from its existing position, where it has occupied various buildings over the last 100 years.

“We’re thrilled with the plan. We could have one of the best club buildings in Europe.

“The deal secures the club’s future for decades ahead, clears its debt and allows us to concentrate on the boats,” said boat club spokesperson John Mackey.

He said the resurgence in rowing in Cork had seen over 12 oars people competing at international level in the last five years.

The club has up to 200 members and 70 active oarspeople, many from the Blackrock/Mahon area and local schools, said Mr Mackey.

Design for the project - which is certain to face some stiff local opposition - is by James Leahy Architects. It features large 700 to 900 sq ft apartments.

Included in the development’s planning team are consultants McCutcheon Mulcahy, Sherry FitzGerald estate agents, JODA engineers, and AKC quantity surveyors.