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◊ McCutcheon Mulcahy’s crucial role in the Transformation of Cork City’s South Docks
McCutcheon Mulcahy Planning Consultants submitted a planning application to Cork City Council on 30th June 2008 for a major high density mixed use development for the Halls Site on behalf of Origin Enterprises plc.
The application proposes over 50,000sqm of commercial and residential use floorspace for the site that lies in close proximity to Cork City Centre. Two high quality contemporary designed buildings and a new street are proposed. 165 generously sized apartments, including many suitable for families, are envisaged as well as two bar/restaurants, a café, a local shop, a gym and a crèche. Around half of the proposed floorspace will be in office use.
The site will act as a catalyst for further redevelopment in the Docklands by expressing a visible signal of confidence in the area and, given its location, will act as a vital link to the existing City Centre. The application is the first for the western end of the South Docks.
McCutcheon Mulcahy has provided planning guidance to Origin throughout the pre-planning process, advising on the proposed use mix and on compliance with planning policy and has liaised with Cork City Council. The practice has prepared the planning submission, played a crucial role in the production of a Masterplan document and Precinct Strategy for the overall Origin landholding and co-ordinated and contributed to the Environmental Impact Statement on the proposals.
We will continue to work to ensure the success of this planning application.
◊ Submissions to the Draft Kerry Development Plan 2009-2013 are due 4pm on 28th August 2008.
◊ Proposed Variation (No.8): Tall Building Policy
The proposed variation provides a framework for assessing proposals for tall buildings. In particular, it:-
- identifies where tall buildings will not be appropriate in principle;
- identifies areas of the City where tall buildings will be appropriate in principle; and
- provides guidance on the height of proposed tall buidlings.
In addition to County Hall and the Elysian Tower, tall buildings will also be appropriate in:
- Docklands (six tall buildings at five different locations are identified in Variation No. 7 of the City Plan 2004, the North Docks LAP and South Docks LAP);
- North Blackpool; and
- South Mahon
This variation provides a general policy context for tall buildings and also identifies specific locations for new tall buildings in North Blackpool and Mahon. This will result in Cork having a total of ten tall buildings to provide strategic landmarks for the City, the majority of which will be in Docklands.
The public and interested parties were invited to make written submissions or observations to the Planning Authority with respect to the proposed variation - closing date was 4.30pm on Wednesday 21st May 2008.
In line with this McCutcheon Mulcahy has provided guidance to a range of our clients with an interest in the Draft Policy and has submitted a significant number of observations on their behalf to the City Council’s consultation.
◊ Cork County Council are now considering the submissions made to the draft County Development Plan.
◊ Submissions made to the Cork Area Strategic Plan ("CASP") originally adopted in 2001 are now under review by appointed consultant team.
◊ Stoneview development gains approval
Stoneview, Blarney is an ambitious vision to develop a new community of 2500 homes with associated schools, shops and community facilities.
Our client, Stonemeadow Ltd, has now gained approval from An Bord Pleanala to develop the infrastructure to facilitate this development. Infrastructure proposals include the construction of a new commuter railway station, the widening of the N20 road and a new interchange and slip road. The costs for these works is in the region of €100 million.
MCM Planning has been an integral part of the team that has secured this approval, providing planning advice from the scheme’s inception to the submission of the appeal to the Board and representing our client at oral hearing.
This approval is an important next step in making the vision a reality and the delivery of this much needed new community for Blarney is a key objective of the practice.
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