City officials seek legal advice on college rezoning proposal

CITY officials sought legal advice yesterday on a controversial rezoning proposal aimed at securing a €50 million revamp of a former college on Cork’s northside.

It is understood that serious concerns have emerged about the legal standing of the proposal to seek the rezoning of the former sports fields at Farranferris College for housing.

Developer Michael O’Flynn was appointed by Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr John Buckley, to prepare a blueprint for the future development of the 22-acre site, owned by the diocese.

He has prepared a draft local area plan (LAP) which outlines plans for a €50 million education campus designed to tackle social disadvantage.

But the LAP says it is essential to build 108 houses on the college’s former sports pitches to help fund the other elements.

Spread over some 11 acres, the pitches are zoned for sports and would have to be rezoned to allow the project go ahead.

Mr O’Flynn met with several councillors at City Hall on Monday and a motion, signed by 11 council members, was submitted the following morning backing the rezoning of the sports fields.

But several councillors expressed concerns publicly last night about the situation.

Independent Cllr Dave McCarthy, who signed the motion, pulled his support for the project last night.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Terry Shannon said: “The idea that councillors are backing a motion for rezoning, put together by a developer, sends out all the wrong messages,” he said.

Cllr Tim Brosnan (FF) said the process, if cleared, could set a dangerous precedent.