Supporting Infrastructure Critical to Facilitate Docklands Development
The decision yesterday by An Bord Pleanála to refuse planning permission for Goulding Chemicals to develop port facilities at Marino Point in Cork Harbour, facilitating the relocation of the firm’s facilities from the South Docklands in Cork City to the lower harbour, represents a setback to the regeneration of the Docklands. Supporting and enabling infrastructure, such as the critical R624 Cobh Road, must 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: “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.
“An Bord Pleanála cited the lack of progress on the R624 as a factor in its decision this week to refuse planning permission for new port facilities in Marino Point. Under current plans, the upgrade of the road is likely to take anywhere up to nine years; this needs to be accelerated in local and national development plans. It is vital that the road upgrade is prioritised, alongside the appropriate rail infrastructure and rail freight facilities.
“The decision represents a setback for the Docklands development, however it is vital that we remain committed to the delivery of this transformative project for Cork.”
