Páirc Uí Chaoimh appeals refusal for bus set-down and turning point to An Coimisiún Pleanála

First-party appeal to the planning commission means a new decision on the controversial plans is due to be made in October 

The proposed development now lies with the planning commission following a first-party appeal by Páirc Uí Chaoimh CTR, with a decision due by October 12, 2026. Picture Dan Linehan

Plans for a bus set-down area and turning point on the city side of Páirc Uí Chaoimh will now be decided by An Coimisiún Pleanála, with the city council's refusal of the development being appealed by the stadium. 

Páirc Uí Chaoimh CTR was unsuccessful in its bid to secure permission for a vehicular set-down and drop-off circulation area at the stadium and Marina Park in Ballintemple.

While approving the development was initially considered, Cork City councillors ultimately decided to refuse permission following a significant campaign by local residents who objected to the plans.

Among the dozens of submissions was an objection from the Ballintemple Area Residents' Association (BARA), who said the proposed development was "effectively a car park."

The group, reporting upwards of 350 members, wrote that Monahan Road will see "significant pressures" in the next few years due to increased development in the area, with the road being the only vehicular route into and out of the Docklands to the east.

"Any vehicular queue to access a turning circle or set-down will result in increased delays for both traffic and public transport services," the group said before raising additional safety and disruption concerns impacting the adjoining Marina Park.

Council refusal

Voting on the plans last month, Cork City Council ruled that the proposed development would materially contravene a zoning objective of the Cork City Development Plan which designated the land in question as public open space. It said the objective for this land was "to protect, retain, and provide for passive and active recreational uses, open space, green networks, natural areas, and amenity facilities."

However, a council spokesperson noted that issues related to access, traffic, and parking were deemed satisfactory during the previous planning process, deciding that the proposed development would not have seriously injured the residential or visual amenity of the area, and was in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. 

Expressing disappointment at the city council's decision, chief executive of Cork GAA Kevin O'Donovan said the design of the scheme was intended to improve public safety by making it easier for buses travelling to the stadium to allow passengers to disembark away from the public road, adding that the plans did not intend to remove access to Marina Park.

The proposed development now lies with the planning commission following a first-party appeal by Páirc Uí Chaoimh CTR, with a decision due by October 12, 2026.