Council’s inaction results in land row

CORK City Council’s failure to act three years ago has led to a complex land row in a leafy Cork suburb, it emerged last night.

However, an end could be in sight to the long-running saga following comments from city manager Joe Gavin.

City management was criticised at last night’s council meeting for not responding to a letter from the Chief State Solicitor’s Office in 2003 about the title to a stand of trees in Lake Lawn in Douglas which are now the subject of a legal battle.

The strip of land on which the trees stand borders two prime development sites, which are about to be developed for apartments and housing.

Residents took to the streets last week to prevent workmen from destroying the trees.

They secured a temporary injunction last Friday.

They criticised the city council and city planners for not doing enough to protect the trees, which are zoned as public open space in the city development plan.

But it emerged last night that the council could have prevented the row from developing three years ago.

It emerged that the land is vested in the State following the dissolution of the company which owned it, and which built the estate, the Fastnet Public Utility Society Limited.

Following questions from Cllr Terry Shannon, Mr Gavin said the Chief State Solicitor’s Officer wrote to the council on September 19, 2003, stating that it was willing to waive the State’s interest in the strip of ground in favour of the city council.

“Cork City Council has not responded to this request,” Mr Gavin said.

Mr Shannon asked why nothing had been done for three years.

“We’ve been slow to protect the public interest,” he said.

Mr Gavin said it wasn’t seen as a matter of urgency.

However, he said the council could acquire title to the land now if it was the wish of the council.

Mr Shannon is expected to consult with residents shortly before making a decision for future action.