Latest news with #PeterHorgan
Irish Examiner
25-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Plans for 280 apartments on campus of former Bessborough mother and baby home refused
A proposal for 280 apartments on part of the former Bessborough mother and baby home campus in Cork has been shot down. An Coimisiún Pleanála, formerly An Bord Pleanála, gave two key reasons, linked to concerns about housing mix and its design, for rejecting Estuary View's The Meadows scheme – one of two large residential schemes proposed by the company on separate sites it owns at Bessborough. The buy-to-sell Meadows scheme was earmarked for a landbank on the eastern side of the site, and included four buildings ranging in height from one to 10 storeys. It was submitted to the former Bord Pleanála in 2021 under the since-discontinued strategic housing development (SHD) process. It also proposed a new pedestrian and cycle way bridge connection with the Blackrock to Passage West greenway, which flanks the site's eastern boundary. The zoning in the area permits residential, but it is an area designated as high landscape value. However, in its ruling An Coimisiún Pleanála said the mix of units did not meet the target levels set out in the city development plan. It also said no "statement of housing mix" was submitted, and therefore no justification had been provided in relation to the proposed mix of units. Secondly, it said it considered its 'excessive and sustained scale, bulk and mass in combination with height, and the consequent plot ratio" would be visually obtrusive from several viewpoints within and adjoining the site. Burial ground The commission also noted a third recommended reason for refusal from its inspector – the presence of a potential burial ground immediately in front of the folly – which was among the reasons for its decision to refuse permission for a previous SHD application and another housing proposal on Bessborough. But it said it believes the Meadows site, could, subject to careful forensic monitoring of ground works, be more amenable to residential development, and it decided not to include this as a reason for refusal. Labour Cllr Peter Horgan said: "Given that this entire site is fraught with emotion and history, we need to put an end to the constant retrenching of concern that is brought whenever an application is provided here." Estuary View declined to comment.
Irish Examiner
10-06-2025
- Irish Examiner
Council approves major new public transport hub at Black Ash park and ride
Planning has been approved for the construction of a major new bus interchange at Cork's Black Ash park and ride facility. The interchange will support the delivery of BusConnects Cork by catering for six new bus routes which will operate through the park and ride site, providing better public transport links to the airport, train station, Cork University Hospital, and UCC. City councillors approved a Part 8 planning report on the project on Monday night amid calls for more engagement with the authorities at Virgin Media Park, Turner's Cross, and Páirc Uí Chaoimh about greater use of the under-utilised 920-space park and ride car park and its buses for big matches or concerts. The new bus interchange will more than quadruple the 213 bus service's hourly capacity – from six bus services an hour to 26. Cork City Council, in collaboration with the National Transport Authority (NTA), published the Part 8 proposals for public consultation last February, attracting 40 submissions, including from DAA and Munster Rugby, the report to councillors on Monday said. Following consideration of the issues raised in the submissions, city officials confirmed that they now plan to: facilitate, in conjunction with the NTA, more engagement with the key stakeholders hosting matches, concerts or events in nearby sports grounds to maximise the availability of information on usage of the park and ride facility. upgrade the Mick Barry Road surface between the eastern entrance and the western exit of the park and ride site; and finalise a detailed landscaping plan for the new hub, focusing on biodiversity and native Irish species where possible. 'The possibility of providing services for the thousands who attend matches and concerts in Virgin Media Park and Turners Cross, the potential for demand-responsive transport services, and the introduction of integrated ticketing can be further explored between Cork City Council, the NTA and the major stakeholders involved in event organisation in order to enhance the overall visitor experience and encourage greater use of public transport,' the council said. Chair of the city's transport committee, Labour Cllr Peter Horgan, said the GAA authorities must be consulted about using the park and ride facility for Páirc Uí Chaoimh match or concert traffic. Sinn Féin Cllr Michelle Gould endorsed his comments and called for a park and ride on the northside, while Independent Cllr Paudie Dineen said private bus operators should also be encouraged to use the new bus interchange facility. The Black Ash park and ride facility opened close to the Kinsale Road roundabout just over 20 years ago. It accommodates the 213 bus service, which runs on a loop to the city centre, six times an hour, Monday to Saturday. The new bus interchange will more than quadruple its hourly capacity — from six bus services an hour to 26. The planning approved on Monday clears the way for construction of: four additional bus bays; new entrance and exit points onto the Mick Barry Road; new bus shelters, seating and sheltered bike parking; new pedestrian paths within the site. The hub will accommodate: the new Route 6 from Grange Road, Douglas Road to UCC, running every 15 minutes on a two-way loop, via the hub; Route 13 from Cork Airport to Kent Railway Station, via the hub; Route 14 running every 15 minutes from Mahon Point, via the hub, to Cork University Hospital; Route 23, an hourly service from the Old Youghal Road to Ballyphehane, via the hub; Route 42x from Fountainstown/Carrigaline to Kent Station, every hour, via the hub; and Route 13b from Kinsale to Kent station, again via the hub. Councillors were told the scheme seeks to provide a seamless, convenient and attractive parking and bus interchange, and that it seeks to cater for the increased bus frequency proposed under BusConnects Cork. Read More Is more congestion in Cork City an inevitability?
Irish Examiner
09-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Councillors erupt into war of words after former Cork lord mayor votes against social housing scheme
A former lord mayor of Cork has been criticised for voting against one of three social housing projects approved by city councillors on Monday, one of which would deliver 56 homes on a former sweet factory site. Labour councillor Peter Horgan said he was incensed by Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy's criticism of the "bland design" for four apartments on a vacant overgrown corner site at the junction of Boreenmanna Rd and Clanrickarde Estate, which attracted over 40 submissions during its Part 8 public consultation. 'Units like this being rejected because the design is bland?' Mr Horgan asked. 'I'm sorry housing isn't sexy enough for you to vote for it. That is not a reason to vote against housing. I find it insulting to those who worked on the scheme and to those on the housing list The deputy lord mayor, Green Party councillor Honore Kamegni, and Fine Gael councillor Des Cahill also voted against it, with Mr Cahill criticising the way the Part 8 consultation was initially presented to councillors. Mr Kamegni said: 'Just because there is a housing crisis, doesn't mean we have to build anywhere.' Officials said they listened to concerns and omitted the second floor of one of the units, reducing the height from three to two storeys, to deliver two two-bedroom ground floor units, one two-bed unit, and one one-bed unit on the first floor — the maximum changes possible on a tight corner site. Councillors eventually voted 22 to seven to approve the scheme. They also approved Part 8 planning for 56 social homes on the former Topps sweet factory in Ballincollig, which has lain vacant since the company ceased operations in the town in 1998. Design concerns Councillors were told the scheme will be named Innishmore Gardens and comprise of one four-bed house, 17 three-bed houses, 12 one-bed apartments, 12 two-bed duplex units, seven two-bed apartments, and seven three-bed duplex units. The scheme will also provide 58 parking spaces. It will range in height from two storeys to three storeys, and will be carried out for the council by way of a project agreement with OBR Construction Group. Sinn Féin councillor Joe Lynch, who was raised and lives in Innishmore, said he wants to see the housing development succeed and integrated into the existing community. Independent councillor Albert Deasy criticised the council for not taking on board certain design concerns he said he expressed before the scheme was published for public consultation, and he called for it to be referred back to the local area committee. However, council chief executive Valerie O'Sullivan insisted there were no Part 8 proposals before councillors that had not been properly consulted on. 'Most derelict street in Cork' In Blackpool, councillors approved the demolition of a council-owned derelict two-storey house at 24 Thomas Davis St for a three-storey building with two units — one two-bed maisonette over a one-bed apartment, each with their own door access at ground floor level. Fianna Fáil councillor John Sheehan welcomed the proposal for a street he said was once 'the most derelict street in Cork'. 'It once had 23 derelict sites, but that has now been reduced by half thanks to the work of the council. It's great to see the street coming back to life,' he said. Read More Plans for over 360 new homes in Carrigaline resubmitted to Cork County Council
Sunday World
05-06-2025
- Sunday World
Gardai nab nine e-scooters in Dublin using 'new technology'
Under new regulations, gardaí have the power to confiscate any device that is found to be too powerful Gardai are rolling out the new Dynamometer technology Some of the e-scooters that were seized Gardai using new speed testing kits have nabbed nine e-scooters in Dublin for a range of offences. Garda Traffic said their Roads Policing members were conducting checks on e-scooters in the city centre using new Dynamometer technology. 'Nine scooters were impounded for a range of offences, including speeding and exceeding the maximum rated power output,' they posted on X. The mobile dynamometer is a device capable of determining the maximum speed an e-scooter, e-bike or e-moped is capable of, rather than having to catch the passenger in the act of speeding. Some of the e-scooters that were seized News in 90 Seconds - 5th June 2025 The dynamometers are being distributed to garda stations across the country, having been acquired by gardaí in recent months from the Netherlands. According to The Journal, gardaí are only the second national police force in the world to use them. Regulations allowing the use of e-scooters in public places that came into effect last year restricts the vehicles to a maximum speed of 20km per hour. They must also meet particular lighting and braking requirements. A maximum speed of 25km/h is allowed for e-bikes, pedal-assisted electric bicycles, but they must have a motor that cuts off once pedalling stops. Under the new regulations, gardaí have the power to confiscate any device that is found to be too powerful. Gardai are rolling out the new Dynamometer technology The new laws also ban the use of the scooters by those under the age of 16, and from having fixed seats on board. It also prohibited the practice of two people riding on one scooter. In Cork, Labour councillor Peter Horgan told The Echo this week: 'These are a legitimate alternative transport but the speeds that some scooters are now able to go is downright dangerous. ''Other cities have mechanisms where scooter speeds were automatically slowed when in pedestrianised zones and we must examine the technology to try and achieve that. 'They are for short hop journeys not designed as a main mode of transport to clock up to 40km per hour.'
Extra.ie
18-05-2025
- General
- Extra.ie
Cork's 'robot trees' removed after years of criticism and high costs
Cork City's much-criticised 'robot trees' have been removed, bringing an end to a four-year saga of controversy, mounting maintenance costs, and persistent questions over their effectiveness. The CityTrees, moss-filled, high-tech air purifiers installed in 2021 – were taken down early this morning from their locations outside Dubray Books on Patrick Street and the City Library on Grand Parade. While the devices are gone, their hexagonal wooden bases remain, continuing to serve as public benches, which many locals have long joked was their most useful function. Billed as sustainable 'moss walls' designed to filter fine dust from the air, the five CityTrees were installed by Cork City Council at a cost of €355,000, funded through a €55 million National Transport Authority scheme aimed at promoting cleaner air and greener transport. The German-designed units were said to clean the equivalent of air breathed by up to 7,000 people per hour. Cork City's much-criticised 'robot trees' have been removed, bringing an end to a four-year saga of controversy, mounting maintenance costs, and persistent questions over their effectiveness. Pic: Cork City Council However, from the outset, the structures were dogged by controversy. In 2023, a University College Cork (UCC) report, commissioned at a cost of €2,500, failed to find conclusive evidence that the devices meaningfully improved air quality, in part due to readings being taken on low-pollution days. Atmospheric scientist Dr. Dean Venables of UCC had previously warned that while the CityTrees might have a limited localised effect, they were unlikely to have any real impact on citywide air quality. Pic: Cork City Council Labour councillor Peter Horgan went further, calling the devices 'the most expensive benches ever purchased by a local authority' and slamming the lack of transparency around their purchase. 'We'd have been far better off planting real trees,' he said, describing the moss machines as 'monstrosities with LED screens.' The annual upkeep of the units added fuel to the fire, costing the council over €17,000 each year. Frustration grew among elected members, who said they were kept in the dark about the decision to purchase the devices, with some resorting to Freedom of Information requests to uncover cost and maintenance details. For now, what's left behind in Cork is not cleaner air, but five pricey wooden platforms, reminders of an ambitious project that never quite took root.
