Permission granted for 165-bedroom hotel and offices in Cork city

PLANNING permission for a hotel in Mahon has been granted by An Bord Pleanála despite “constraints and strategic issues” identified by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

An Bord Pleanála has granted full planning permission to Hibernia Star for a new 165-bedroom hotel, and more than 10,600m2 office buildings overlooking Cork harbour on the Douglas Estuary at Jacob’s Island, Cork.

The project will be delivered by McCarthy Developments and will have a capital value of almost €100 million, and work is expected to commence on the development in 2024.

McCarthy Developments Managing Director, Dr. Tom McCarthy said: “We are delighted to move forward with the next phase of the Jacobs Island Master Plan, championed by McCarthy Developments over the last 20 years.

“This new phase of development has significant impact for Cork’s economic development, providing a new hotel for business and leisure visitors as well as substantial office accommodation required to fuel further investment and create significant employment in the Cork Region.” 

McCarthy Developments have already delivered over 400 homes on the 50 acre waterfront site, and planning has been previously granted for an additional 440 housing units on the site.

MASTER PLAN

The Jacobs Island Master Plan also includes further strategic housing development to increase residential availability in Cork, as well as the development of several parks and recreational areas, ‘play and stay’ activities, communal courtyards, green streets, ample pedestrianisation, cycle paths and considerate landscaping.

In line with the zoning and planning guidelines, the mixed use development will provide a vibrant urban area with a mix of residential, employment, childcare and other uses.

TII opposed the plan on the grounds that: “The proposed development is at variance with official policy in relation to control of development on/affecting national roads.

“The proposal, if approved, would create an adverse impact on the national road and associated junction and would, in the Authority's opinion, be at variance with the foregoing national policy.” 

Two reports from the TII to ABP on February and July stressed “the constraints and strategic issues highlighted with [the] application with regards to impacts on N40 and associated interchange still remain".

The An Bord Pleanála document stated: “Long standing commitment to the development of this site and agreements have been reached between Cork City Council and TII regarding the upgrade of the Mahon Interchange.

“Contrary to the assertions of TII, evidence has been provided in the form of a TTA (Traffic and Transport Assessment Update), and two subsequent updates that the proposed development will not negatively impact on the operational efficiency of the N40."

The results of the traffic assessment highlighted an overall slight increase in queueing on the off slip roads, but no impact on the N40 mainline.

An Bord Pleanála added: “Future transport proposals indicate improvements in Jacob’s Island transport network through enhancement of public transport provision, cycling, walking and road infrastructure”, and concluded: “the proposed development will not have a detrimental impact on the N40 mainline.”