Council overrules planner to clear offices at historic Cork railway building

Developer said a planned bar and restaurant on the site is “just not currently financially viable”.

The Railyard apartment block under construction by Hegarty for JCD. Picture: Larry Cummins

Cork City Council has overruled a recommendation from one of its planners to refuse permission to turn the former Blackrock and Passage Railway terminus and ticket office in the Docklands into office space.

The planner had recommended refusal on the grounds that losing the bar and restaurant that was originally proposed for the protected structure was "an opportunity lost" to develop the building for a public, active use. They also said it would detrimentally affect the public courtyard of the adjoining Railyard, a 25-storey apartment tower which is currently under construction.

JCD, the developer of the site, lodged plans in September seeking permission to change the permitted use of the terminus building which is undergoing extensive restoration. They said the planned bar and restaurant was “just not currently financially viable”.

The application included a report from estate agents Savills, who have been trying to identify a potential user of the location but said they have been unable to do so. Those contacted included Press Up/Eclective, Toca Social, the Wright Group, Tony Cross Restaurants, Market Lane Group, the Louis Fitzgerald Group, BrewDog, the Emporium Company and the Chris Kelly Group, along with other hospitality and leisure operators active in the Irish market. 

The historic former railway terminus is undergoing restoration and construction as part of the Railyard apartment scheme. Picture: Larry Cummins.

The Savills report said that potential operators pointed to a variety of barriers. Some said the Docklands is seen as still at an early stage of commercial establishment, and several operators said they would prefer to watch how the area develops before committing. Another issue was fit-out costs, with industry feedback putting the fit-out bill for the unit at €5m to €6m.

However, a planner in City Hall said the change would contravene three objectives in the Cork City Development Plan for the city docks. The application also drew an objection from a third party who said losing the bar and restaurant would leave a “dead zone” after 5pm and at weekends, and that the South Docklands already had a “severe over-concentration” of office space. He also argued that food, drink and cultural destinations had been presented as a critical benefit and said removing public-facing spaces post-approval sets a damaging precedent.

However, in a note this week, Niall Ó Donnabháin, director of planning and integrated development, with Cork City Council, directed that permission be granted. He disagreed with the planner's assessment and said office use does not overly restrict public access to the building.

"In my view securing the refurbishment and future use of these important Protected Structures which currently lie in a vacant and derelict state represents a significant planning gain for the area and city," his report notes.

Construction work continues on the landmark Railyard development, which is on course for completion in November 2027.