Cork funeral home operator refused permission to redevelop former bank premises

Cork City Council has refused plans to convert a former bank in Bishopstown into a funeral home, citing traffic hazards

Former PTSB Premises at 1 Curraheen Road, Bishopstown

A Cork funeral home has been refused permission by the city council to expand into a former bank premises.

Fordes Funeral Homes sought permission to repurpose the site of the former PTSB premises at 1, Curraheen Road, in Bishopstown, applying for a change of use of the existing building from financial services to a funeral home.

The proposed development would have seen the partial demolition of the ground and first floor and construction of single-storey height extensions, with new stairs, offices, family rooms, toilets and service areas. It would have also seen the removal of a night deposit safe and ATM from the premises.

Established more than 80 years ago, Fordes operates several funeral homes in Cork, including Fordes South Gate Bridge in Cork City and Fordes Carrigaline, as well as operating Sullivans Funeral Home in Turners Cross.

The proposed development received several objections, including from independent Cork City Councillor Albert Deasy, who voiced concerns from several local residents about “entirely inadequate” parking facilities, and a further increase in traffic in an already busy area of Cork.

1 Curraheen Road, Bishopstown

Cork City Council refused the plans, saying in its decision that the site was closely located to a major junction serving two main arteries in and out of the city from the N40.

"Given the proximity of major institutions in the area such as Munster Technological University and Cork University Hospital, the junction experiences congestion on a daily basis, particularly at peak times," the council said.

"Having regard to the site's location adjoining a heavily trafficked road and a major traffic junction where the cross-traffic movements generated by the proposed development would interfere with the safety and free flow of traffic on the road, the proposed development would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard."

The council added that the proposed development would increase parking on a major traffic route and close to a major traffic junction, thus endangering public safety because of obstruction of road users. 

"The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area," the council concluded.