Councillors force through changes to map Mahon for next 20 years

Cork’s city councillors have forced through several strategic changes to a major blueprint that will guide development in the busy Mahon suburb for the next 20 years.

Against the backdrop of an unprecedented stand-off with city planners, they managed to block future office development on Mahon Point’s overflow car park until chronic traffic congestion in the area is tackled.

Councillors voted to zone an area on the residential Jacob’s Island area for office development, secured a neighbourhood centre zoning there, and removed a proposal for a new bridge in Bessboro.

The changes to the city development plan were made following several votes during a marathon debate on the draft Mahon Local Area Plan (LAP) on Monday’s city council meeting.

The draft plan required variations to the city development plan to ensure the Mahon blueprint could fit in with it.

However, councillors resisted the draft plan after city manager Tim Lucey shot down all seven motions by the council’s planning and development strategic policy committee, which sought key changes to strategic elements of the LAP.

Cllr Jim Corr (FG) led criticism of the manager’s report which rejected the committee’s motions. “I have deep concerns about the content and tone of the manager’s report,” he said.

He also dismissed ambitious aims outlined in technical traffic reports which sought to reduce car usage in the Mahon area by over 50%.

The road network needs to be upgraded to accommodate more traffic, he said.

Cllr Des Cahill (FG) said officials from the National Roads Authority told councillors earlier in the day that the N40 would not be upgraded to take more traffic, and said councillors’ views, which reflected concerns of their constituents, must be taken on board by planners.

Cllr Joe O’Callaghan (FG) described the rift with planners over the LAP as an “unprecedented Mexican stand-off”.

Cllr Terry Shannon (FF) described the LAP as the most contentious he has ever worked on, with the draft plan not reflecting councillors’ aspirations for the area.

“It has been most exhausting and disappointing affair which has led to a chasm between councillors and planners,” he said.

Cllr Denis O’Flynn (Lab) said traffic congestion has made “virtual prisoners” of residents in some areas.

Councillors then voted on variations to the city development plan which now maintains the “residential, local services” zoning on Mahon Point’s overflow car park, and prevents development on the site pending all traffic improvements.

They secured a “neighbourhood centre” zoning on Jacob’s Island, where planning has already been granted for a retail unit.

They secured zoning for a five-storey office block on Jacob’s Island, to replace nine-storey and six-storey residential buildings which already have planning. They also removed proposals in the city plan for a Bessboro Rd bridge.

But after a four-hour debate and several breaks for consultation on complex and technical planning issues, Mr Lucey, the city manager, said it was too late in the LAP process for councillors to change that plan. “It is now inconsistent with the city development plan. It (the LAP) now has zoning for purposes not consistent with the city development plan,” he said.

He advised councillors that they will now have to signal to planners their intention to change the LAP to bring it in to line with the city development plan, which takes precedent.

Mr Lucey launched a robust defence of his report, and defended planning officials involved in the LAP process, insisted the plan was pro-development.

“This strategy will deliver development in the optimum correct locations so that activities can be carried out in the most sustainable manner,” he said.