Daily Archives: October 2, 2019

Update – giant potholes just outside the curtilage of Mahon Community Centre in front of Lakelands Bar

October 2, 2019Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Developmentadmin

Legally the company who owned the site – their assets in 2003 were devolved to the State to the guise of the OPW. Technically the OPW own the site but are saying they are getting legal advice it. Cork City Council’s planning directorate placed the site on the derelict sites register in 2018 fining the OPW for not fixing the potholes in the road. The legal problems ramble on and needs to be sorted.

From Planning Directorate this afternoon:

“Councillor—

In response to your query about the Carpark at Avenue de Rennes—this site (Our Ref DSP 1852) was placed on the Derelict Sites Register in September 2018. You are correct that the OPW is listed as the owner/occupier on the Derelict Sites Register (see screen grab below). To explain:

· If you look at the Land Registry, you will see that it indicates that the site is owned by Morningford Ltd. However, during the course of our investigation, we determined that Morningford Ltd. (a limited company), dissolved in December 2003 (per the list of Registered Companies, such as available from the CRO or Solocheck).
· However, the company was not liquidated. It is our understanding that assets of such companies devolve to the State (Section 28 of the State Property Act, 1954). Such matters are handled by the OPW.
· We have discussed this matter with the OPW and they are investigating/seeking advice themselves. I understand that when assets devolve to the state under the process, it can be a lengthy process to address and resolve.
· Addressing this issue will be part of the steps needed for the revitalisation of Avenue de Rennes, and the site has been placed on the Derelict Sites Register accordingly.

I hope this is of assistance.

Kind regards”

Derelict site register for Mahon, Cork, 2 October 2019

Cllr McCarthy: Welcome return of Bessboro Folly

October 2, 2019Cork History, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Developmentadmin

Cllr Kieran McCarthy has welcomed the rebuilding of Bessboro Folly on the grounds of the former Bessboro Mother and Baby Home in Mahon.

In March of this year the enforcement planning section of Cork City Council investigated the partial demolition of a historic nineteenth century stone folly. Demolition work took place on the building reducing it to its lower floor.

The Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary released a statement at the time, explaining their decision to demolish half of the folly; “Advice was received that the building’s structurally poor condition posed a grave danger to the public. We were left with no option but to have major structural work carried out on the Bessboro Folly. This ruin is regularly used by young people – and as there were serious safety issues directly related to the extremely poor condition of the building – we had to have this work done to ensure public safety.

Before proceeding, we sought professional advice and we established the building is not on the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) as maintained under the statute by the Archaeological Survey of Ireland and the Commissioners of Public Works. We also advised the ‘Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes’ of our intention to carry out this necessary work”.

At the time Cllr Kieran McCarthy criticised the decision to partially demolish the structure saying permission was not granted by Cork City Council for the work; “No permission was granted by the council to interfere with the monument or the folly, so an enforcement file was opened letter sent asking for restoration of the building. The folly has now been rebuilt “block by block” and has been brought back to its original state. My thanks to all involved on all sides in expediating the reconstruction side”.

The two-storey stone folly was built around 1880 and was described as an important surviving landscape feature associated with the gardens of Bessboro House.