Public vigilance the best way to save buildings
However, even if a building is a protected structure (formerly listed building), it does not guarantee its integrity. The former Good Shepherd Convent in Sunday’s Well and Carrig House on Lower Glanmire Road both enjoy protected structure status, yet both have been severely damaged by vandalism and fire.
The survival of any building is dependent on the interest of the owner or occupier.
It is only through the vigilance of the general public that buildings will survive the depredations of illegal development.
We must be extremely grateful to Arthur Leahy for his brave intervention and persistence in stopping the total demolition of the chapel.
An Taisce has a role in the planning process but as a voluntary organisation, its resources are limited and we depend on the goodwill of our volunteers to monitor planning applications.
However, in this case, where the conditions of planning were disregarded, the participation of the general public is vital in highlighting these situations.
The future of Fr Mathew’s Chapel is now in the hands of Cork city council and we can only hope that the action it takes is of such a magnitude that it will restrain others from carrying out illegal demolition works in the future.
It is not an exaggeration to say that our planning system suffers from a lack of public confidence. One only has to view television screens or the newspapers to read of the latest planning scandal or the lack of action by the planning authorities nationwide.
We can only hope that the outcome in this case will be satisfactory and not one that sends out the wrong signal.
Kevin Hurley
An Taisce Corcaigh
PO Box 26
Togher
Cork.
