€61m to be spent on turning part of Haulbowline Island into a park despite warnings

The Government has committed to spending €61m on turning part of Haulbowline Island in Cork Harbour into a public park, despite a report commissioned by the Office of Public Works (OPW), which concluded it was an unsuitable location for use as a public amenity.

€61m to be spent on turning part of Haulbowline Island into a park despite warnings

A copy of the OPW report on the future use of the island, completed in May 2011, was released to the Irish Examiner under the Freedom of Information Act just months after preliminary work began on a project which will turn part of the site of the former Irish Steel plant into a major public amenity, with a sports field, walkways, and cycleways.

The working group was set up by the OPW in 2009 to examine the future potential of the site of a toxic waste dump, known as the East Tip, which was discovered on Haulbowline in June 2008. It felt the site was unsuitable for use either as a public amenity, housing, or industry due to “a combination of legacy issues, the security considerations of the Naval Service and the lack of necessary infrastructure.”

Already a subscriber? Sign in

You have reached your article limit.

Unlimited access. Half the price.

Annual €130 €65

Best value

Monthly €12€6 / month

More in this section

Lunchtime News

Newsletter

Keep up with stories of the day with our lunchtime news wrap and important breaking news alerts.

Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited