Residents offered hope over park

RESIDENTS who fear their cherished park could be snapped up by developers were offered some hope last night.

Cork city manager Joe Gavin said the fact that green in the western suburb of Bishopstown has been used as a public park for almost 40 years would stand to them.

Householders from the Bishopscourt estate are due to meet this evening to discuss the shock sale of the almost 1.6 acre park.

They will call on city management to step in and save the site they have used and maintained as a public green since the 1960s.

The Irish Examiner first reported on Thursday that the site has been put up for sale by the owners of number 1, Park Gate Villas, on the Bishopstown Road, a two-storey three bedroom house which stands on the corner of the site.

SWS Property Services confirmed that the green is included in the title to the house.

Residents reacted with shock and expressed concerns that the new owner could apply for planning permission to build on the green, which does not have any specific zoning designation.

However, Mr Gavin said planners would examine any application closely and have regard for the history and previous use of the site.

“Our planners would have to examine any application with regards to the zoning of the site and its surrounds, and the impact the proposed project would have on the community,” he said.

An advertising hoarding on its eastern gable could provide its new owner with several thousand euro in annual income.

Tonight’s meeting takes place in the SMA Community Hall in Wilton at 7.30pm.