First step in plan set to change the face of village

THE first step in a radical transformation of Douglas village in Cork has been signalled by a 124-bed hotel planning application.

Moves to link the two large shopping centres, Douglas Court and the older Douglas Village Shopping Centre, both owned by the Love family, to pedestrianise the village and to open up new roads as well as providing underground car parking, are being drafted.

As a first step, Douglas Central Properties, linked to Clayton Love and family, has sought permission for an eight-storey building with hotel, bar, restaurant and shop units on a portion of the old TSB site.