Planning to be sought for €140m Cork flood defences

Planning permission for the first phase of Cork’s long-awaited €140m flood defences could be sought before the end of the month.

The news emerged last night as the OPW briefed city councillors in private session on the status of the overall scheme, and again ruled out the construction of a tidal barrage in the lower harbour on cost grounds.

The agency confirmed its intention to have the first phase of the scheme — the €6m Morrison’s Island public realm project, including flood defences, which is being co-funded by the OPW and the council — ready for the Part 8 planning process and public consultation by the end of the month. But work won’t begin on the scheme before next summer, pending permission, it said.