Marina Park & Rezoning

Monday 16 April 2012

Lord Mayor,

The people here this evening have a right to be angry. Of all the pieces of docklands to change, it shouldn’t be the actual park that will benefit people’s lives if docklands comes into being.

Of all the aspects that this city needs more of …is public parks;

And since been here over the last three years, it is the last remaining green spaces of this city that have been before us again and again. We, as a city, won’t be happy, until we build or privatise every green site in the city. There have been at least a half a dozen proposals before us looking to rezone land.

As someone who is pro the development of recreational amenities and not the regression of such amenities across the city, it is sad to see the heart of the plan for the Marina Park here this evening being in a sense railroaded. Where I have no problem with the development of Pairc Uí Chaoimh, to create a second stadium-like structure does sever the heart of the Marina Park.

This report before us this evening also does not address the issues and concerns of the objectors in a meaningful way.

Given the level of objection to the proposed variation the report doesn’t even make an effort to broker a compromise solution that would resolve the objectors (all citizens and voters) concerns while working to achieve the objectives of the proposed variation.

One of the principal points the objectors highlight is the fact that the proposal changes public open space to a private sports ground. The manager’s report doesn’t even address this. The response is that it is ‘noted’. This ignores one of the main concerns of the residents.

The CPO for the showground purchase made a very strong point about the fact that the land was required for the Marina park and that this would be the only public sector project in the docklands. This would ‘anchor’ the area and create a sub-regional park (i.e. a park for the enjoyment of the whole southeast sector or cork including the county suburbs).

The resident’s strongly argue in their submissions that the manager’s report makes a mockery of the CPO proposals and undermines the docklands as a residential area by turning public open space into private playing fields.

That over 50% will become private property. Vehicle entry points, carparking spaces will blight the area. No consideration is given to the loss of amenity, comfort and recreational potential of the area.

Another key point that the residents groups in the area highlight is How you can achieve visual and physical linkage through the site, Pairc Ui Chaoimh and the centre of excellence, a major stadium and a minor one back to back.

Another strong argument the group make is they note the strong signal that the City Council and the manager are not interested in the voice and concerns of the citizens but instead put the interests of other private groups before those of the citizens.

These remarks and others are disheartening to hear and does show the disconnection in this context between the city planners and what the residents who have lived in this area need.

For the reasons I have outlined and others I am against the rezoning of land and will be voting no.

Ends