Decision due on €850m plan for Cork docklands

A decision on the largest planning application ever lodged in Cork city will be made this week.

Howard Holdings are looking for permission for an €850m development in the docklands that would include a 5,500-seater events centre, a 27-storey apartment complex, 10 storeys taller than the Elysian in the city centre, and a hotel and conference centre.

The location of the proposed development is on the old Ford Distribution site on the Centre Park Road.

Described as “the single largest development project ever undertaken in Cork, and a catalyst for other docklands schemes to follow”, the proposed site will also include 575 residential units and 50,000 square metres of office space.

A spokesman for the city council’s planning department confirmed a final decision on the plan is expected to be made on Thursday.

The site is close to the proposed Eastern Gateway Bridge which is considered to be an essential element of the Docklands development.

City Manager Joe Gavin said in December that if planning is granted he expected work to begin on the hotel and conference centre element before the end of this year.

Article courtesy of the Evening Echo newspaper.