Cork locals object to council's go-ahead for bus drop-off area at Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Residents of nearby areas have written to Cork City Council in recent weeks to 'strongly object' to the plans, citing traffic management problems

Last year, the operators of the sporting ground submitted a planning application for the new set-down/drop-off area at the city end side of the stadium, accessed from Monahan Road, next to the 4G astroturf pitch. Picture: Dan Linehan

Locals have hit out at Cork City Council proposals to amend its development plan to permit a new bus drop-off area at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, saying they have seen no reason it should be permitted.

In a series of submissions featuring similar language, residents of nearby areas have written to the council in recent weeks to “strongly object” to the plans.

“We support the planners' reports to refuse permission and have seen no published report on why this decision has been overturned,” they wrote.

Páirc Uí Chaoimh has been consistently shown to be incapable of the proper management of traffic to and from the stadium, particularly for smaller events — and this will be no different.

Last year, the operators of the sporting ground submitted a planning application for the new set-down/drop-off area at the city end side of the stadium, accessed from Monahan Road, next to the 4G astroturf pitch.

They said the proposals aimed to “improve and enhance the overall operation and management of the stadium” and “improve the stadium’s integration and integration with the emerging Marina Park”.

It also said the plans would be of benefit not only to the GAA but also as an "important asset" to Cork City as a whole, while also contributing positively to the Cork docklands.

In late March, Cork City Council signalled its intention to green-light the plans, despite the area being designated as a “public open space”.

In order for permission to be given, the city’s development plan will have to be materially altered as the proposals “contravene materially” the objectives of this plan.

Public consultation

The proposals were put out to public consultation, prompting over a dozen submissions from locals.

After this four-week period has elapsed, it falls to the council chief executive to present a report to councillors.

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Councillors will then have to pass a resolution to grant the planning permission, with three-quarters of them needed to vote in favour for it to pass.

In its own submission to the consultation, Coakley O’Neill Town Planning — on behalf of applicant Páirc Uí Chaoimh CTR — aimed to reassure councillors of the merit of the proposals.

“Council members can be assured that the proposal will not result in any pronounced loss of usable public open space, rather it will help Páirc Uí Chaoimh develop its existing facilities to a continued high standard of other stadia throughout the country and across Europe,” it said.

“[They can be] satisfied that a negative planning precedence will not be set, and assured that the current development plans will not in any way be undermined.”