Cork plan for 20,000 houses
The Cork City Development Plan 2015-2021, officially launched at City Hall last night by the lord mayor Mary Shields along with the council’s chief executive Ann Doherty, is the blueprint from which the local authority will plan the city’s expansion over the next six years.
The development strategy which has been two years in the making has been focusing on new development in brownfield lands, in key development areas such as the city centre, docklands, Mahon, Blackpool, the North-West Regeneration Area and Tivoli.
Of the 19,850 potential new residential units identified, the plan states earmarked landbanks on the docklands and in Tivoli had the capacity to host 11,227 new houses.
The plan also seeks to improve suburban areas and their facilities, including new city amenities such as Marina Park and the Tramore Valley Park.
Patrick Ledwidge, directorate of services of the council’s Strategic Planning and Economic Development Directorate said the planned events centre, along with redevelopment of the Capitol Cinema site and the Albert Quay office complex currently under construction, are the backbone of the city centre’s development plan over the next six years.
Mr Ledwidge also confirmed that the plans will remain unchanged even if a review of the city’s boundaries recommends moving more of the suburban areas from the control of the county council to its city counterpart.
“The Cork Area Strategic Plan has seen co-operation between the city and county council since 1978 and has been nationally and internationally recognised as an effective way to manage cross-border relationships,” he said.
Mr Ledwidge said that the plan will be reviewed in two years, but that the local authority is confident that it is flexible enough to adapt to economic trends.
The council will then begin work on the next plan in four years time.
Ms Shields said there are strong signs that Cork City is emerging from the economic challenges of recent years.
“There is still some way to go, but we are on the road to recovery.
“I am confident the new City Development Plan will help guide the renewal and development of the city for the benefit of residents, business people and visitors alike over the next six years,” she said.
Copies of the plan are available for examination at the planning counter in City Hall and city libraries or website: www.corkcitydevelopmentplan.ie. It may also be purchased at City Hall.
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