Council opens consultation on plans for major public realm project for Cork town 

Cork County Council has opened a public consultation on plans for a major public realm project for Carrigaline which is likely to require an investment of several million euro and has the potential to transform the town centre. 

The planned development is long awaited as Carrigaline, once a village without a secondary school, has experienced rapid population growth but without any substantial public realm development. 

The local authority has now published drawings and details about the proposed development for the town following the publication of the plan to initiate a Part VIII consultation process.

In the document, the proposed development is described as comprising a plaza and pavilion, open green spaces, biodiversity/pollinator planting, and a seating area. 

It is envisaged that the proposed multifunctional public pavilion will provide a sheltered performance stage for community events, connected to the waterfront.

An element of the development proposes the inclusion of seven separate rain gardens in the area.

Carrigaline’s new town centre area will also incorporate more than 90 car parking spaces.

A village that developed quickly 

According to councillors who spoke to The Echo to welcome the project, Carrigaline has been a town without a town centre and this development, when it is complete, will provide the one-time village with a vibrant heart.

“These plans are critical to the enhancement of Carrigaline Town Centre and primarily involve the Owenabue carpark area as well as bringing the wonderful natural feature of the river to greater prominence,” local Fianna Fáil Cllr Seamus McGrath said. 

“We’re very fortunate to have a river and these proposals blend it in very well."

He said that Carrigaline was traditionally a village which developed quite quickly. 

“The proposals are designed to give a proper core to the town centre and to enhance it and modernise it.”

Cllr McGrath said that the plans and drawings were a draft of what was envisaged but they were subject to change depending on from the public.

“I hope there are changes as this would mean there was active public engagement in the consultation process and this would mean that people were taking ownership in the project.”

'A European-style plaza'

Fellow Fianna Fáil councillor Audrey Buckley also welcomed the publication of the proposals and said that while she would have preferred to see more water features and seating down by the river,  planning issues had ruled that out.

“It’s fantastic, it’s well needed for Carrigaline – there are some amazing groups such as Tidy Towns in Carrigaline and this will really be the icing on the cake.”

Cllr Buckley said that the proposed plan, which could always be added to later, would bring Carrigaline together while Fine Gael Cllr Jack White said that the plan would deliver a ‘European style plaza’ feel to the town centre.

“It represents a long overdue re-think of how the town centre should function.” 

Independent Cllr Marcia D’Alton said the development envisaged for the waterfront area would ‘dovetail beautifully’ with the sister plans the Council has for the redevelopment of the town’s Main Street.

“I encourage residents to take the time to examine the plans and to comment on them, all suggestions are welcome because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Carrigaline.” 

The consultation is open to submissions from the public until 4pm on Monday, November 10.

Submissions can be made online on the Cork County Council website or in writing by sending a letter headed ‘Carrigaline Village Public Realm – Waterfront River Park’ and should be addressed to the Muncipal Officer, Carrigaline Municipal District, Cork County County Council, Floor 5, County Hall, Carrigrohane Road, Cork, T12 R2NC.