NRA to withdraw office plan objection
The decision, which was welcomed last night by Cork’s city manager Joe Gavin paves the way for John Cleary Developments (JCD) to proceed with the project in Mahon.
The NRA’s decision to withdraw its appeal to An Bord Pleanála against a decision made by the city council follows a high-level meeting between senior city officials and the NRA’s chief executive, Fred Barry.
The council voted in March to rezone land in Mahon and grant planning for the JCD project.
But the NRA appealed the decision, citing concerns about its impact on the South Ring Road.
Mr Gavin said he wrote to Mr Barry on April 15 outlining his concerns about the views expressed in the NRA’s submission and he sought a meeting to discuss the matter.
That meeting took place in the NRA’s headquarters in Dublin last Wednesday.
Mr Gavin was accompanied by the city’s head of planning, Kevin Terry, senior planner, Ann Bogan, and senior engineer Noel Tummon.
“We had a very open and constructive meeting,” Mr Gavin said.
“The NRA representatives outlined their concerns about preserving capacity on National Primary Roads and we outlined the need to facilitate job creation within the city.
“We discussed a wide range of issues including how best to work together in finding solutions to issues.
“We explored options which might see the NRA withdraw the appeal.”
In a statement issued yesterday, Mr Gavin said the NRA agreed to write to the council indicating what measures needed to be taken to enable them to withdraw the appeal.
Those proposals were received last Friday and Mr Gavin wrote back to Mr Barry on Monday giving assurances that the NRA will not be expected to fund future upgrades for the Mahon interchange, and assuring that the council will work with the NRA to assess the impact of current, and possible future developments on the N25 having regard for local and strategic issues.
The NRA confirmed yesterday that the appeal will be withdrawn.
“This is a very satisfactory outcome for all concerned,” Mr Gavin said.
“Above all it will enable the development to proceed at Mahon with the potential to create 1,500 jobs.”
He thanked the NRA for the “open, constructive and timely way” in which it dealt with the council on the issue.
