NRA criticised for lodging objection

THE National Roads Authority (NRA) has been severely criticised for objecting to a major office project in Cork which has the potential to create 1,500 jobs.

The NRA has within the last few days lodged what has been described as a “substantial and comprehensive” objection with An Bord Pleanála against John Cleary Developments’ €200 million office project in Mahon.

It is understood the authority is citing concerns about what it says is the inability of the local road network – close to the Jack Lynch Tunnel and the Dunkettle Interchange – to cope with increased traffic.

The area already experiences heavy traffic and chronic congestion at rush hour and weekends.

The office project received planning permission last month after city councillors voted unanimously to rezone a site, close to the Mahon Point Shopping Centre.

They expressed concerns about increased traffic too but they agreed to ring-fence some of the estimated €3m in development contributions which will be paid by John Cleary Developments to build an extra lane for traffic going into the site.

Councillors cited the jobs' potential of the project and city manager, Joe Gavin, gave assurances that the extra lane would be built to ease traffic congestion.

But the NRA objection, the details of which are expected to be available early this week, is likely to delay the project for several months.

The NRA could not be contacted for comment last night.

Cork South Central Fine Gael TD Deirdre Clune said it is “outrageous” that a statutory body such as the NRA would object to a development that will stimulate the provision of jobs.

“Surely the remit of the NRA should be to facilitate development and not object on the basis that they want national traffic to run smoothly,” she said.

“The NRA is well aware of the National Development Plan and the Cork Area Strategic plan that outline the potential of the Cork region. They should be developing plans to match those objectives – not trying to freeze developments.”

She criticised the NRA’s track record of objecting to projects on the northern side of the Jack Lynch Tunnel, particularly the development of a railway station and a park-and-ride facility near Dunkettle.

“Now they are focusing on the other side of the tunnel,” she said.

“For years the NRA has delayed providing flyovers on the Kinsale Road and the Sarsfield Road roundabouts. It appears they want Cork to stand still and match their inaction.”

Tenders for both those projects have finally been published.

John Cleary proposes to develop some 26,000 square metres of office space, in three blocks, including retail units, offices, showrooms, commercial units, a primary care centre, a financial services unit, a leisure centre and swimming pool, and a restaurant on the Mahon site.

Mr Cleary has already secured the European, Middle East and Africa headquarters for McAfee, Big Fish Games and Solarwinds at his City Gate development in Mahon Point.

Speaking after the rezoning vote last month, he said the new development will provide world-class office space and is being actively marketed to multi-national technology companies.

“Mahon has proved that as a location it has the capacity to attract these world-class businesses and ensure that Cork benefits from the new smart economy initiative,” he said.