Permission granted for €1bn Cork development

DEVELOPER HOWARD Holdings yesterday welcomed the decision by Cork City Council to grant planning permission for a €1 billion mixed use development as part of the regeneration of the Cork docklands.

But the company said it now needed the Government to “commit to the necessary infrastructure” to “give the market confidence” and make the project happen.

Cork City Council has granted planning permission for the Atlantic Quarter project which will comprise 550,000 square feet of office space, an event and conference centre with a 5,300 capacity, a 205-room four-star hotel and shops, bars and restaurants.

The development, on an 11-acre site between Centre Park Road and Monaghan Road, also involves the construction of three plectrum-shaped towers, one of 30 storeys, one of 20 storeys and one of 10 storeys, which will contain 575 residential units.

The project will also involve the construction of a new single-span bridge, which will link the Lower Glanmire Road at Tivoli and the south docklands and which will be capable of opening to allow maritime traffic continue up the river Lee into the heart of the city.

Howard Holdings said it was “delighted with the decision” and it would now begin reviewing the 21 conditions that are attached to the planning permission, which is the biggest application ever to be considered by Cork City Council.