Docklands suffers setback

Critical infrastructure needed to facilitate the regeneration of Cork’s Docklands must be accelerated, Cork Chamber has said.

The call comes following a decision by An Bord Pleanála to refuse planning permission for Goulding Chemicals to develop port facilities at Marino Point in Cork Harbour.

The development would have allowed for the relocation of the firm’s facilities from the South Docklands in Cork city to the lower harbour, making way for future development on the site.

A lack of progress on the R624 Cobh Road was cited as a factor in An Bord Pleanála’s decision not to grant the planning permission. Under current plans, the upgrade of the road could take up to nine years. Cork Chamber is calling for supporting and enabling infrastructure, such as the R624, to be prioritised and delivered to facilitate the Port of Cork’s move to the lower harbour, opening up lands for the Docklands development.

Cork Chamber Chief Executive Conor Healy emphasised the need for the next government to prioritise the delivery of strategic, enabling infrastructure for the region.

He said: “The regeneration of the Docklands is of national strategic importance and is a vital project for Cork city and county, particularly as the population of the city region is expected to grow by 50% in the years to 2040.

“However, this vital development, which will bring much-needed housing and other services into the Docklands, is largely dependent on the relocation of the Port of Cork’s facilities and customers, such as Goulding, to the lower harbour region – this includes the site at Marino Point.

“Critical infrastructure is needed to facilitate this, and one of the key strategic infrastructure projects in this regard is the upgrade of the R624 Cobh Road.” Mr Healy said An Bord Pleanála’s decision represents a setback for the Docklands development.

“It is vital that we remain committed to the delivery of this transformative project for Cork,” he said.