Appeals put €50m Capitol cinema site project in Cork on hold

Two appeals to An Bord Pleanála will delay the start of the €50m regeneration of the derelict former Capitol cinema site in Cork City by at least four months.

A spokesman for John Cleary Developments (JCD) said they are disappointed but not surprised that appeals had been lodged against Cork City Council’s decision to grant planning permission for the project, given its scale and location.

The project has been described as a game-changer for the city, with property experts predicting that it will breathe new life into the city, and act as a catalyst for the transformation of the eastern end of the city centre core.

The planning appeals board confirmed yesterday that An Taisce Corcaigh and Michael Corrigan (Super Fruit), a trader in the neighbouring English Market — both of whom made submissions to the city council during the planning application stage — have lodged separate appeals.

The JCD spokesman said they are confident that the issues raised in each of the appeals can be addressed.

“We are disappointed that the project has been delayed. It is fully funded and we were due to commence work on site within weeks,” he said.

“We will study the details of the appeals and address the issues in due course.

“But the appeals will delay work by a minimum of four months.

“We would hope to start on site early in the new year pending a positive decision from An Bord Pleanála.”

The spokesman also moved to reassure English Market traders that JCD will work closely with them before and during the construction phase to minimise disruption.

“The feedback from the vast majority of traders to this project has been hugely positive,” he said.

“The level of investment going in to this project will really increase footfall in the market and the Grand Parade area.”

The landmark Capitol cinema site has lain derelict for almost a decade and city planners gave JCD’s regeneration plan for the 0.63-acre block the green light in July. The 85,000 sq ft development will feature three floors of shops, which could employ up to 100 people, and two floors of high-spec offices across some 36,000 sq ft, providing accommodation for up to 350 workers.

Up to 200 jobs will be created during construction, which is expected to take between 12 and 15 months. The landmark site has frontage to both St Patrick St and the Grand Parade.

JCD’s plans include the refurbishment of the Oyster Tavern; development of a food innovation hub in the former Central Shoe Stores site in partnership with the English Market; and the creation of a new street leading in to the market.

Developer John Cleary said at the time planning was granted that talks with high-profile retail brands and potential office occupiers were well advanced. He has declined to comment on speculation that Zara is among the anchor tenants.

Mr Cleary, the developer behind the City Gate office campus in Mahon Point, is also developing the One Albert Quay office block. Construction work is continuing and is due to finish early in the new year.

The 200,000 sq ft office will have capacity for 2,000 workers.

The project is one of the largest office block developments in the city centre in decades.