Planners to recommend rezoning for retail project

PLANNERS in Cork city are poised to recommend a rezoning to facilitate the development of a “local retail centre” featuring a Tesco Express store in the western suburbs.

Councillors are expected to vote on the project, which is facing opposition from several local shop owners in the Bishopstown area, in the coming weeks.

The planners’ recommendation follows their assessment of a planning application by Melbourne Management, associated with developers Michael and John O’Flynn, to change uses of eight business, enterprise and light industrial units at the former Melbourne Business Centre, to provide a 4,500 square ft local retail centre, with off-licence and four other shops.

O’Flynn Construction previously had its head office at the business centre before moving to Ballincollig Town Centre.

The intended anchor for the larger unit of the proposed new retail centre is understood to be Tesco Express, aiming to serve the large CIT student catchment in the area and its extensive purpose-built student accommodation.

Retail giant Tesco already operates a similar 5,000 square foot Tesco Express at nearby Dennehy’s Cross.

Objections have been lodged by RGDATA and a local shop owner.

It has now emerged that following a detail assessment of the application, planners are set to recommend the project go-ahead.

But a two-thirds majority of councillors will have to vote in favour of the rezoning if it is to secure planning permission.

The site is alongside the Rossbrook estate and former Tennis Village.