Bord Pleanála gives green light for multi-million euro docklands project

MULTI-MILLION euro plans for a massive residential and commercial development in Cork’s docklands, which include a landmark 10-storey tower, were finally given the green light by An Bord Pleanála yesterday.

The planning appeals board gave Limerick-based developers, the McMahon family firm Werdna Ltd, the go-ahead for their huge Water Street project after a two-year planning and appeals saga.

The application — which includes over 200 apartments, a boardwalk, public plazas and a marina — was with the appeals board for 19 months, during which two oral hearings were held.

The developers were unavailable for comment yesterday.

It was not clear last night when work might start on the Murray O’Laoire-designed development.

The developers had initially applied to build more than 400 apartments, and a 17-storey tower block at the harbour end of the four-acre site.

During 18 months of talks, the architects amended their plans six or seven times and cut the number of apartments down to 304.

But after that lengthy process, city planners shot down the tower plans in April 2005 amid concerns about the height, and granted partial planning for the project.

Werdna and residents living on the Lower Glanmire Road appealed the decision.

During the appeals process, the architects agreed to reduce the height of the tower block to 10 storeys and relocate it to a site closer to the city.

The distinctive and striking building will still form the centrepiece of the development and will act as a landmark at the gateway to the city’s port.

The project will include commercial and retail space, a business centre, a creche, and a two-storey basement car park.

The board attached 28 conditions to yesterday’s decision, including that height screens must be provided in some areas to prevent overlooking of neighbouring properties.

Conservation studies must also be carried out on the former Port of Cork workshop and the former Harbourmaster’s house.

Yesterday’s decision came at the end of a week which saw Manor Park Homes submit a planning application with the city council for a €500 million commercial and residential development on the CIÉ-owned Horgan’s Quay site.

And the council also gave O’Callaghan Properties permission for its €700m residential and commercial regeneration of Academy Street this week. Work is due to start in March.