Time running our for ‘protected’ structure

THERE is huge pressure to rezone more and more land in the Douglas area of Cork city where hundreds of acres are changing hands for huge sums.

The proposed review of zoned land appears to be fuelling this frenzy and developers seem confident the lands will be rezoned without a fuss.

Given that premise, it is not surprising that the owners of the period property Vernon Mount don’t appear to be too interested in the future of the house while they sit on about 19 acres of land currently zoned ‘amenity’ and which may be rezoned for housing at some future date.

The completion of a new flyover has contributed to improved access to the lands surrounding Vernon Mount, thereby further increasing the site value.

However, the house continues to be a problem and its deterioration is being accelerated through loss of most of the windows and a hole in the roof that is allowing in huge amounts of rainwater.

The county council seems unable or unwilling to use the planning acts to halt the situation. This lack of interest makes a complete mockery of Vernon Mount’s status as a protected structure in the county development plan.

Vernon Mount is in a bad condition and its decline must be halted immediately.

The current situation is nothing short of a disgrace.

Kevin Hurley

An Taisce Corcaigh

PO Box 26

Togher

Cork