Project could be ‘biggest in history of town’

AN AMBITIOUS plan has been unveiled to create a new residential and retail development quarter in the inner harbour of a Cork town.

The project in Clonakilty, which could reshape the West Cork town and utilise long-neglected amenities, is earmarked for the existing 13-acre site of Clonakilty GAA Club's playing fields.

The success of the scheme is dependent on the GAA club securing planning permission for new facilities on the outskirts of the town.

The club has lodged a planning application for four playing fields, an all-weather pitch, a handball alley and state-of-the-art clubhouse at Ahamilla on the Dunmanway Road.

Club official and town councillor Seamus O'Brien yesterday said the proposed GAA facilities and the re-development of the inner harbour were dependent on planning permission and the sale of the existing site.

"Clonakilty has experienced huge development growth in the last 10-15 years, but the proposed redevelopment of the GAA fields would be the singular biggest project, possibly in the history of the town."

Cllr O'Brien said: "The redevelopment would open up the river frontage and the inner harbour areas not greatly explored or utilised until now and, to a great degree, ignored.

A draft action area plan study was prepared by consultants Brady Shipman Martin for Clonakilty Town Council and Clonakilty GAA Club which both own lands at the mouth of the Feagle River at the inner harbour.

They advise that extending the town centre into the GAA site will enable a strong residential community to develop and allow for orderly extension of the town's commercial facilities.

Details of the plan are on display at the town hall.