Planners back €200m office project

PLANNERS have recommended rezoning land near one of the country’s busiest junctions for a €200 million office development which has the potential to create some 1,500 jobs.

But local councillors have expressed serious concerns the project could lead to more traffic chaos in the area around Cork’s Jack Lynch Tunnel.

Mahon-based Labour Cllr Denis O’Flynn confirmed last night that despite the desperate need for jobs in his area, he will be voting against the rezoning.

“I am not against development. And we need jobs, in particular in Mahon, where there is massive unemployment,” he said.

“But what I am against is development at all costs. People in the Blackrock and Mahon areas have become prisoners in their own homes because of traffic problems.”

John Cleary Developments has sought planning permission to build some 26,000 square metres of office space, in three blocks, on a site near the MahonPoint Shopping Centre.

The site, located between the Project Management (PM) building and the shopping centre access road, is currently zoned for residential, local services and institutions land-use.

The firm wants to build retail units, offices, showrooms, commercial units, a primary care centre, a financial services unit, a leisure centre and restaurant. The proposal also allows for commercial uses such as a café bistro, and car parking.

But the project as proposed would contravene the zonings in the City Development Plan.

Senior planners have now prepared a 17-page report for councillors which outlines a range of submissions made in relation to the project, including from Mahon Leeside Construction Limited and the managers of Mahon Point Shopping Centre.

They claimed the project has “unsafe” access arrangements, “inadequate” car parking, and claimed the developers had underestimated the level of traffic it would generate.

But planners have addressed the issues, and said the proposed uses can be supported in principle from a planning perspective if the site is rezoned.

Their report also states: “Given the nature and location of the site, the general pattern of development in the surrounding area, and the nature and scale of the proposed development, it is considered that, subject to compliance with the conditions, the proposed development would not constitute a traffic hazard and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

The report will be presented to councillors on Monday who must vote by a two-thirds majority to rezone the site, effectively giving the project planning permission.

Thousands of people now work in companies based on the Mahon peninsula.

McAfee is based at the City Gate development alongside other multi-nationals including Big Fish Games and Solarwinds.

The new Sheehan Medical private hospital is due to open there soon, employing a further 1,000 people.