Outreach centre plans rejected

PLANS to create a multi-million euro outreach centre at University College Cork received another major setback yesterday as An Bord Pleanála (APB) refused it planning permission.

The university had proposed to build a two-storey 200-student centre with lecture rooms, cafe and tennis courts at Mardyke Gardens, near the home of Cork County Cricket Club.

However, the club objected claiming that the project was too large, would cause harm to the setting and result in the removal of a number of mature trees.

Cricket club members were also concerned that the project would exacerbate year-round flooding problems in the area.

A proposal by the university for the outreach centre was first made more than two years ago. It was turned down by the planning appeals board on December 15, 2005 on the grounds it was too large.

University officials pushed ahead with a revised plan, which cut its size in the hope that Bord Pleanála would approve the scaled-down version.

APB inspector Peter Fenwick said he didn’t think the outreach building would exacerbate flood problems along the Mardyke. But he said that given the fact it was a historic area he considered the building was too large.

His reports said: “It would result in serious visual intrusion and would contravene development objectives in the Cork City Development Plan 2004.”

That development plans states uses of the site are primarily as public open space.

The inspector said that the project would interfere with the character of the remainder of the site.

Mr Fenwick added that the proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and refused permission. An Board Pleanála upheld his view.