Category Archives: Ward Development

Kieran’s Submission, Odlum’s & R & H Hall Development, January 2022

Cork City Events, Cork History, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

Director of Planning,

Planning and Development Directorate,
Cork City Council, City Hall,
Cork.

6 January 2022

Re: Planning Application at Odlum’s & R & H Hall, South Docks, 21/40702

http://planning.corkcity.ie/AppFileRefDetails/2140702/0

Dear Director,

I write to comment on the proposed development project at Odlums and at R & H Hall. In general, I welcome the strong financial investment into South Docks. For me, Odlums and R & H Hall are core structures, which anchor the docks area in a strong sense of place. Much of the area has seen demolition over the years leaving the latter two structures and the historic Ford compound being left as core historic structures on South Docks.

I wish to thank the developers of the proposed Odlums and R & H Hall site for their extensive history and environmental studies, that have been submitted with their proposal. I note that the Odlums buildings is to be restored and utilised, and that is to be encouraged and welcomed.

 Looking through the engineering study on the grain silos, I note and respect how the silos were constructed and acknowledge the weakness of the concrete and their many limitations for re-use. However, such is the striking nature of the silos on South Docks, I am still very disappointed that they, if planning is sanctioned, will be taken down, which ultimately will change the sense of place not just in that locale but across South Docks. And it is the change in the sense of place that is irking me.

In that light I would ask that if any part of these industrial ruins of the silos can be utilised or recycled or if any old industrial equipment is salvageable that it be used within any new building and as some kind of sculptural/infrastructure installation/s on the quayside. I would love if the design of the proposed “Silo” buildings – would reflect as much of the R & H Hall buildings as possible. I would like to advocate that the City Council’s Archaeologist and Heritage Officer, respectively, would work with the developer on keeping as much of the historic sense of place as possible.

Sincerely,

_________________

Cllr Kieran McCarthy

R & H Hall Grain Silos, Cork South Docks, present day (picture: Kieran McCarthy)
R & H Hall Grain Silos, Cork South Docks, present day (picture: Kieran McCarthy)

Kieran’s Question to CE and Motions, Cork City Council Meeting, 13 December 2021

Cork City Events, Cork History, Improve Your Life, Landscapes, S.E. Ward Local History, Uncategorized, Ward Development

Question to the CE: 

To ask the CE for an update on the opening of Marina Park and the final cost of its completion and the sources of funding? (Cllr Kieran McCarthy).

Motion:

That City Library’s Cork Past and Present website be put back together online as soon as possible. It plays a very supportive role in the study of local history and genealogy in the city and region (Cllr Kieran McCarthy). 

McCarthy: Marina Park set to open, 13 December 2021

Cork City Events, Cork History, Improve Your Life, Kieran's Council Work, Landscapes, S.E. Ward Local History, Uncategorized, Ward Development, Ward Events

Kieran’s Comments:

“The park looks great and will add immensely to The Marina district. It’s been a long two years with construction work stopping and starting due to Covid 19. Phase one works has also comprised the construction of a new public car park at the Shandon Boat Club end of the Marina, as well as a new cycle lane and pedestrian walkway – these are all now completed and are very well used”.

“One can also see that the installation of perhaps the most eye-catching part of the project – a noticeable red steel pavilion on the site of, and replicating, the central hall of the former Munster Agricultural Showgrounds. The showgrounds at its cultural height in the twentieth century attracted tens of thousands of people, who enjoyed what the Spring and Summer shows had to offer.

The new park is a modern offering on the site, which will attract citizens from across the city and region. The sides of the pavilion reflecting the society’s former buildings will not be enclosed, and there will be possibilities for coffee pods and outdoor seating and arts and crafts. The project is a e.10m investment into the area, of which nearly e.5m came from EU Urban Sustainable Funds, which are part of the EU’s structural funds and are a crucial source of funding for cities”. The EU source of income will need to be chased once again so that phase 2 of Marina Park can be delivered”, concluded Cllr McCarthy.

11 December 2021, ” “The new park is a modern offering on the site, which will attract citizens from across the city and region. The park or project represents an estimated €10m investment into the area, of which around €5m came from EU Urban Sustainable Funds — part of the EU’s structural funds and “a crucial source of funding for cities”, Cllr McCarthy said, New park in Cork city to open to the public from Monday, New park in Cork city to open to the public from Monday (echolive.ie)

McCarthy: Cork City Arts Strategy Open for Public Consultation, 27 November 2021

Arts, Cork City Events, Grants, Improve Your Life, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy is calling upon the community and artistic sector across the city and especially in the south east to engage with the public consultation on the new Cork City Arts Strategy. The Arts Office of Cork City Council are now developing a new strategy to guide their work over the next five years. They want to ensure that arts and culture in Cork City is the very best it can be. To help them with thinking and planning, they would like to understand more about what people think and feel about arts and culture in Cork City now and to gather their hopes and ideas for the future. 

Cllr McCarthy noted: “Cork City Council has consistently invested in and supported the arts. There are many different tools at their disposal for the development of the arts. These include ideas generation, funding support, infrastructural support, resource and staffing support. Planning for the future, assessing the impact of our work to date and consolidating cultural infrastructure are all crucial elements to plan for going forward”.

“On Cork City’s public consultation portal under the survey section (www. consult.corkcity.ie/en/surveys) is a short survey and gives you the opportunity to share your views and inform what we do in the years ahead. The survey is confidential and contains short questions looking for public input. The survey will remain open until 6 December at 5pm”, concluded Cllr McCarthy.

Cllr McCarthy: Push to Phase out Herbicides in Public Areas

Cork History, Improve Your Life, Landscapes, Uncategorized, Ward Development

Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has welcomed Cork City Council’s Parks and Recreation Division undertaking of trials researching various alternatives to herbicides. The research during the past three years has concluded that the alternatives are less effective and more costly. The alternatives included steam jet application, electric strimmer and organic herbicides. The disadvantage of the alternatives is that the control increases from one operation per year up to four for any one of the alternatives. That said the alternatives are by far more environmentally friendly in terms of greater biodiversity and pollinator friendly amenity areas.

Cllr McCarthy noted: “The Marina and The Atlantic Pond areas are core areas I have had phonecalls on and questions on the use of herbicide. The Roads Department are cognisant of general concerns regarding the use of glyphosate and have been conducting trials in the last three years with contractors using non-glyphosate products. These trials have incrementally ramped up to the point that in 2021 these trials cover 140km of the public road network, i.e., 28% of the road network. In the coming months, an evaluation of these trials will be completed with respect to effectiveness and costs, with a view to expanding the overall percentage of network treated with non-glyphosate products in 2022”.

“Providing the trials are deemed successful, contractors with effective non-glyphosate products are available, and costs match Council budget allocation, it is the Roads Departments intention to proceed with non-glyphosate products in the future treatment of the City’s road network”, concluded Cllr McCarthy.

McCarthy: Skehard Road Improvement Scheme Phase 3 Nearing Conclusion, 13 November 2021

Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has welcomed the near conclusion of the approved upgrade works under the Skehard Road Improvement Scheme (Phase 3) between CSO Junction and Church Road Junction are proceeding as planned. In a reply to Cllr McCarthy at this week’s Council meeting by the Chief Executive, it was noted that the realignment of footways is currently underway and will be followed by resurfacing and lining of the realigned carriageway. The project is expected to be substantially complete by mid-December, with any weather dependent surface finishes to be completed as temperatures allow early in the new year.

Cllr McCarthy noted: “Locals and those who use the road have been very patient with this part of Skehard Road. And I know the works has also been a very real headache and frustration for those who live adjacent the works. It is one of the narrowest parts of the road and the removal of the road and footpath for such a long period of time due to the advent of COVID and the stoppage of works has been challenging. The last piece of the challenge to be met now is the winter weather, which may hamper the laying of tarmacadam before the end of the year. The works are a regular discussant point at the monthly local area meeting of local public reps and the Council executive to finish off the works as soon as possible”.

Ward Works – The Mangala Extension Update, 8 November 2021:

Improve Your Life, Kieran's Council Work, Landscapes, Uncategorized, Ward Development

An allocation of €800,000 from the National Transport earlier this year has allowed much progress on the next phase of the Ballybrack cycle scheme (phase 4).

This next phase involves the construction of circa 2.1km, 4m wide pedestrian and cycle path connecting the recently completed Ballybrack Pedestrian and Cycle Track Phases 2 & 3 with Maryborough Hill and proposed new residential developments along the route, especially in Castletreasure.

The project is slightly behind because of Covid and stoppage works in construction.

But the allocation has enabled Cork City Council to progress with a design team and it is currently preparing the detailed designs for the project.

Ground investigation work is also currently proceeding at present.

Cork City Council is hoping to be in a position to tender for the scheme in 2022.I will keep my pressure on what is a very exciting addition.

McCarthy: Public Consultation Crucial for Cork Draft Bus Network Redesign, 6 November 2021

Cork City Events, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development, Ward Events

Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has welcomed the recent launch of the second round of public consultation for the Cork Draft Bus Network Redesign, but has asked the National Transport Authority to liase with the general public as much as possible, especially those who are currently regular bus journey users. The Network Design forms a core part of the overall BusConnects Cork Programme.  This round of public consultation will be on the BusConnects Cork Draft New Bus Network. 

In July 2021, the NTA held an initial public consultation on BusConnects Cork. The survey style consultation gave the people of Cork the opportunity to help shape a new bus network by providing views on a how a new network would best service everyone. There were almost 1,200 responses to the survey and many more engagements. These responses informed the design of a Draft New Bus Network for the Cork Metropolitan Area, which will now be published for review and feedback.

Cllr McCarthy noted: “The current use of public transport is only 5% of the overall modal movement within the city, which is very low compared to other cities of Cork’s size in western Europe. Bus Connects is very ambitious to raise the use of public transport. There are challenges – especially at certain times of the day there when it comes to dealing with traffic congestion, and hence at certain times of days, buses are late across many routes”.

Cllr McCarthy continued; “The ambition is great but it is also very important to reach out to existing bus consumers. I have already had bus users from Ballinlough to Douglas coming forward to me with concerns and suggestions. I would also ask regular bus users to have a close look at the Cork Draft New Bus Network. Informationcan now be found on the website www.busconnects.ie/busconnects-cork. I will be making my own submissions. If people wish me to raise their concerns as well, send me an email on kieran_mccarthy@corkcity.ie”

The consultation period for the BusConnects will run from Tuesday 2 November to Friday 10 December 2021. The consultation portal is available on the website and submissions can be made there. Seven Local Area Booklets are available on the website and will also be delivered to over 160,000 premises in the coming weeks. Virtual public meetings will take place via Zoom on Wednesday 17 November (@6.30pm), Wednesday 24 November (@1.30pm) and Tuesday 30 November (@6.30pm). Additional virtual events may be scheduled subject to interest. Further details as well as registration links can be found on the website. 

Cork Draft Bus Network Redesign, 2 November 2021

Improve Your Life, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has today launched a second round of public consultation for the Cork Bus Network Redesign, which forms a key part of the overall BusConnects Cork Programme.  This round of public consultation will be on the BusConnects Cork Draft New Bus Network. 

In July 2021, the NTA held an initial public consultation on BusConnects Cork. The survey style consultation gave the people of Cork the opportunity to help shape a new bus network by providing views on a how a new network would best service everyone. There was almost 1200 responses to the survey and many more engagements.

These responses informed the design of a Draft New Bus Network for the Cork Metropolitan Area, which will now be published for review and feedback. Under the proposals contained in the new Draft Network Report, the level of bus services in Cork will increase by 36% with shorter waits and more direct routes for commuters within the city. 34% more people will live close to a frequent service.

The consultation period for the BusConnects Cork Draft New Bus Network will run from Tuesday 2 November to Friday 10 December 2021. This consultation will take place online, allowing the public to provide their views on the amended bus network proposals. 

Information on the following can now be found on the website www.busconnects.ie/busconnects-cork:

·        Draft New Bus Network Report – Available in English, Irish and accessible PDF.

·        7 Local Area Booklets –Available on the website and will be delivered to over 160,000 premises in the coming weeks.

·        Public Information Campaign – This will be ran for six weeks across all local media outlets.

·        Interactive Online Map – Learn how people can use the proposed services and routes.

·        Online Information Events – Virtual public meetings will take place via Zoom on Wednesday 17th November (@6.30pm), Wednesday 24th November (@1.30pm) and Tuesday 30th November (@6.30pm). Additional virtual events may be scheduled subject to interest. Further details as well as registration links can be found on our website.

·        Online Feedback Form – The consultation portal is available on our website and submissions can be made there.

Cllr McCarthy: Warm Welcome for Advancement of Bus Connects Project, 23 October 2021

Improve Your Life, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has welcomed the most recent update on the Bus Connects project by Cork City Council’s Roads and Transportation Directorate. The improvement and expansion of Cork bus services has been a long- standing objective for the City. The availability of frequent, reliable and cost effective bus based transport is a critical enabler for the planned growth in Cork over the period to 2040. Bus Connects is a key component of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy and it is supported by the National Development Plan.

Cllr McCarthy noted: “The National Transport Authority (NTA) is now progressing the necessary measures for planning and delivering Bus Connects in Cork. Additional staff have also been recruited by the City Council with National Transport Authority assistance to support the development and roll out of the programme. A number of separate design teams have been appointed to develop concept designs for the core bus corridors. These corridor improvements will be necessary for the efficient running of an expanded bus service and will include provision for bus priority as well as cycle and pedestrian facilities”.

 Cllr McCarthy continued: “The issues to be addressed in the network review were presented for public consultation in July 2021 and submissions received have been fed into the design process. It is expected that the emerging draft network proposals will be subject to further consultation in November 2021 and that the revised network layout will be published in quarter one of 2022”.