The future of a Huguenot graveyard, hidden from public view in a busy shopping precinct in Cork, depends on an archaeological report which developers must produce before planning permission for shops and apartments can be sanctioned by Cork Corporation.
The applicants for planning permission include the women's fashion outlet, Monica John, of Carey's Lane in Cork, whose premises is on the site of the historic graveyard, marked as a vacant site on the planning application. The proposal is to build two shops and two apartments.
A similar proposal was sanctioned by Cork Corporation in 1989 but rejected by An Bord Pleanala after an appeal. The onus of providing an archaeological report on a historic site rests with the applicant.
The Cork city architect, Mr Maurice Hurley, is awaiting the report and his comments on it will help to inform the local authority's decision. Duchas, the heritage service, will also have an input.
A Huguenot church was built on the site in 1712 and a burial ground was recorded there in 1733. In 1845 the church was demolished and replaced by a Methodist chapel. Sometime later it was used for Presbyterian worship.
In 1901, four remaining Huguenot gravestones were recorded on the site, but in living memory there hasn't been a building there. Two of the visible gravestones were dated 1779 and 1789.
Cork Corporation has confirmed that some 20 objections to the proposed development have been received from around the world, including concerned parties in Australia and New Zealand.
Ms Petra Coffey, of Co Wexford, who has spent the past 15 years researching the Huguenots in Ireland, is one of the leading Irish objectors and argues that the Cork Huguenot site, the only one in Ireland outside of Merrion Row in Dublin, should be preserved as a unique historical asset.
"Cork has a very special and almost unique site of Huguenot heritage and culture in its midst which should be cherished and made known to Irish people and tourists alike." She adds that, at the very least, provision should be made to ensure the graves are undisturbed and tastefully signposted with details of their history.
According to Mr Hurley, the archaeologist's report has been requested from the developers but has not yet been received. In its absence, he added, the planning application is, effectively, "on hold", but the corporation is not precluded from seeking a progress report from the applicants, acting on the available information and making a decision on that basis.
Of some concern to the objectors is the fact that when An Bord Pleanala upheld the appeal in 1989, it may have erroneously cited an Act of 1884 governing disused burial grounds.
While an appeal may, if necessary, also be lodged, those concerned with Huguenot heritage are hoping the local authority will hear their pleas.
The corporation has done much in recent years to identify and preserve the layers of Cork's history which lie beneath its streets. This site provides the planners with another such opportunity.