Plans for urban farm on Cork city's northside lodged with council

PLANS for an urban farm adjacent to a shopping centre on the northside of the city have been lodged with Cork City Council.

The application, submitted by Better Value Unlimited Company, proposes the development of the farm – which would focus on market gardening, agroforestry and educational activities – on lands to the immediate south of Ballyvolane Shopping Centre.

A planning report submitted with the application said the lands, approximately 1.24 hectares, consists of grassland to the north of the Glen River and a mix of scrub and woodlands to the south of the river.

The plans, if green lit, would see the lands north of the Glen River used to cultivate fruits and vegetables.

The market garden would include crop growing areas, a polytunnel, an outdoor welcome area and a repurposed shipping container - which would serve as a canteen, toilet and storage facility.

On the lands to the south of the river, native trees - including a selection of fruit and nut trees - would be planted with the areas in between used for growing forest fruits and vegetables.

“The objective behind forest gardening is to provide a robust, small scale forested area that provides a sustainable source of forest food,” the planning report explains.

“The planting of new trees will help mitigate the negative effects of climate change, increase biodiversity, improve soil health, and will slow storm water flows.” The urban farm would be operated by Cork Rooftop Farm, who would “aim to provide educational and volunteering opportunities to of the public interested in learning about sustainable urban agricultural practises and agroforestry”.

“Educational workshops will generally run during summer months and will be held outside. Seating for outdoor learning will be provided,” the report states.

Access to the urban farm would be from the shopping centre's car park.

Other development works proposed include the creation of wood chip pathways and the construction of a small bridge to facilitate access to the agroforestry area.

The planning report contends that the farm has the potential to offer multiple benefits.

It would, the report states, initially create three new local jobs and provide educational opportunities.

In addition, crops would be harvested when ripe and in-season, which means they could be sold and consumed more quickly.

“This will help to reduce the amount of food that goes bad before it is sold or consumed,” the report contends.

Cork City Council is due to make a decision on the application by June 10.