Oral hearing on 17-storey tower block

AN Bord Pleanála is to hold a second oral hearing on a long-running planning application for a 17-storey tower block in Cork City.

Limerick-based developer Werdna’s application to build a 304-apartment complex in nine-storey blocks, a 17-storey tower, a central plaza with retail units and a promenade in Water Street, has been in the planning system since February 2005 and followed a previous application for a 19-storey development in May 2004.

Developers were miffed last April when the city council granted permission for the development, but rejected the tower section in its entirety and cut the number of apartments from 300 to 150.

At the time Sean Kearns of the architects for the project Murray O’Laoire said the decision was ‘absolutely bizarre’ and gave all the wrong signals for quality development of the city’s dockland sites, particularly as the developer amended plans on numerous occasions following consultation with the council.

The project was submitted to An Bord Pleanála by the developer because it believed the council should have granted permission for the entire development, and by the main residential objectors, the Lower Glanmire Road Residents’ Group, who say the development should not be allowed.