Proposed school sites in new plan
A team from City Hall has been liaising with the Department of Education on the future requirements for schools on Leeside, it emerged recently.
Cork City Council has said it is in the process of preparing a Draft Cork City Development Plan for 2022-2028 which will be on public display in June while consultation with councillors will start next month. This came to light during the latest Cork City Council meeting after Independent Councillor Thomas Moloney brought the topic up for discussion.
He said: “Considering the expected growth in the population in Cork city over the coming years, we are going to need a substantial increase in the levels of housing, creches, primary schools and secondary schools in all areas across Cork city.”
Cllr Moloney asked what Cork City Council is doing to meet these expected needs specifically with regards to housing, creches, primary schools and secondary schools in different areas across the city in the next five-ten years.
Fearghal Reidy, Director of Strategic and Economic Development at City Hall, said: “The Draft Cork City Development Plan will require placemaking and community development to be central components of residential growth.
“Schools are an essential part of sustainable, liveable communities. As part of the preparatory work for the draft plan, the development plan team in the Strategic and Economic Development Directorate has been liaising with the Department of Education on the future requirements for schools in the city.”
He said proposed locations for schools, where these are available, will be included in the draft plan.
Mr Reidy explained: “The current city development plan includes flexible land use zonings which facilitate school and community development in many areas, and the draft plan will continue this approach.”
Speaking about crèches and childcare facilities he said national planning guidelines require all developments of more than 75 residential units to provide childcare facilities.
“The current Cork City Development Plan 2015-2021 also includes requirements for new large employers to provide on-site childcare facilities. The draft plan will include proposed development objectives for securing the delivery of crèches and childcare facilities,” concluded Mr Reidy.