Cork funeral home operator appeals refusal to redevelop former bank premises

Fordes Funeral Homes lodged plans with the city council to repurpose the site of the former PTSB branch at 1 Curraheen Road, in Bishopstown

Former PTSB Premises at 1 Curraheen Road, Bishopstown

A Cork funeral home has sought planning permission from An Coimisiún Pleanála to expand into a former bank premises after an unsuccessful bid to the  City Council.

Fordes Funeral Homes lodged plans to repurpose the site of the former PTSB branch 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 involved the partial demolition of the ground and first floors and the construction of single-storey height extensions, featuring 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.

"Heavily trafficked road"

Refusing the plans, the council said 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.

The case has now been appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála by the funeral home operator, with a decision due by December 15, 2025.

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