‘It's something Shandon has been crying out for’
There is a lot of optimism surrounding the launch of a regeneration roadmap for Cork city’s historical Shandon area.
That’s according to local man Tadhg McCarthy who is confident that the recently launched Shandon Integrated Urban Strategy (SIUS) will breathe some much-needed life into the district.
A founding member of the Shandon Area Renewal Association (SARA), Tadhg has welcomed the SIUS with open arms but said the residents have been let down before.
“We've had plans for the area before, but they haven't come to fruition but there's a lot of optimism about this one,” he told the Cork Independent.
“It's something Shandon has been crying out for, for a long time,” he added. The SIUS was officially launched by Cork City Council with an aim to facilitate a sustainable and heritage-led new breath of life to the area over the coming years.
“This is an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) so it's in the area's interest that it's maintained, and that the heritage is maintained, and it cries out for that kind of care,” explained Tadhg.
He added: “It could be just totally modernised and taken apart but that's not what we're looking for at all. We just want the place enhanced but being respectful to the traditions and the heritage.”
The SIUS identifies 36 actions under the four themes of Heritage; Living Neighbourhood and Climate Resilience; Community and Arts; and Business and Tourism.
The actions range from small to larger scale interventions which can be progressed by a number of identified stakeholders including Cork City Council directorates, public sector bodies, community groups and associations, charitable organisations, and business groups. Amongst the actions set out in the strategy are several proposals including the Butter Market and Weighmaster’s House Complex, St Anne's Church and Dr Mary Hearn Parks, and the revitalisation of Shandon Street.
“The way we see it is that, if funding comes through, it will probably take up to five years before it's all developed - we don't expect it to happen overnight,” said Tadhg.
The strategy is delivered through the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme (THRIVE) Strand 1 which is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021-2027.
It is Cork City Council’s first strategy undertaken in line with the innovative Town Centre First Framework. The Shandon IUS is available to view on Cork City Council’s website at corkcity.ie.