An Taisce defends park from GAA plan

Heritage group An Taisce has urged Cork City Council to ensure a public park is not split in two by a new GAA facility.

It wants City Hall to redraw a so-called masterplan for Cork’s Marina Park to ensure the existing amenity is not divided by a proposed centre of excellence at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

“An Taisce has no objections to the planned revamp and development of the GAA’s facilities and supports the initiative,” said Cork-based Kevin Connolly.

“The proposed GAA campus incorporates an all-weather pitch as well as a host of other key facilities and is a welcome development.

“But our concern is the proposals will be delivered in such a way as not to sever the public amenity that is Marina Park.

“An Taisce is asking Cork City Council to ensure the project is developed as envisioned in an earlier draft of the South Docklands Local Area Plan and as originally zoned for by the city council.”

Mr Connolly said An Taisce fully supports local residents behind a Save Marina Park campaign.

“We had meetings with residents and endorse their concerns.”

The planning process is still at an early stage following the GAA’s announcement in April of its centre of excellence.

The GAA acquired a portion of land from City Hall, initially purchased by the council for a new public park.

Mr Connolly said: “An Taisce, at this stage, has not made a decision on whether to object.

“We feel an alternative siting of the centre of excellence and second pitch, such as at the city end of Páirc Uí Chaoimh, would both accommodate the GAA and respect the functional integrity of the Marina Park and its proximity to the Atlantic Pond.

Last month, Ballintemple Area Residents Association and Save Marina Park accused City Hall of bowing to pressure from the GAA to increase its land take and reduce the area left for the public park.

The local groups had claimed the 150-plus objections to the initial rezoning fell on deaf ears

Residents envisage the matter will go before An Bord Pleanála.