Councillors ‘hypocrites’ for dodging vote on scout headquarters

Local politicians have been accused of “utter hypocrisy” after dodging a decision that could have delivered a new scout base in Cork.

The 24 councillors who attended Monday’s city council meeting opted to defer a vote on a rezoning that would have delivered a new scout base at Gillabbey Park, off O’Donovan Rossa Rd. The move has now effectively handed the power to make the decision back to city manager Tim Lucey.

Cllr Mick Finn (Ind) criticised councillors for failing to take the vote.

“Some councillors have bemoaned the ongoing diminishing of their powers,” said Mr Finn. “Yet when it came to a vote on this material contravention, they were happy to defer to the manager and effectively leave him make a decision.

“It’s really a case of party councillors speaking out of both sides of their mouths and highlights their utter hypocrisy.”

Cork Catholic Young Men’s Society, on behalf of the 4th Cork Scout Group, had applied for planning permission to develop a new scout base — a single-storey structure with an abseiling platform at attic level and several car parking spaces — on a site zoned public open space at Gillabbey Park.

Planners recommended a material contravention of the city development plan to allow the project proceed.

“Given the backland nature of the site, and its location adjacent the sewage pumping station, it does not appear that the site is currently used to its full potential as an open space area,” said head of planning, Pat Ledwidge.

“Therefore the proposed development would not result in the loss of a well- used open space or park area.

“I consider the development could actually enhance this site and make it more useable and accessible to the surrounding community, while sufficient public open space will still remain to the west of the proposed development site to serve the existing establishing housing development at Gillabbey Park.”

The project needed 23 councillors to vote for the material contravention.

Mr Lucey told councillors at Monday’s meeting they were legally obliged to vote on the rezoning by Friday, or the power to make the decision would revert to the executive.

After conferring, the councillors voted to defer a vote, effectively handing the decision-making power back to the manager. He has 12 weeks to make a decision but is expected to give the project the green light.

A previous planning application for a residential development on the site was refused.