[ Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028, Section 15(2) Two-Year Progress Report ]
In relation to District Centres, scoping for the upgrade of the Hollyhill Centre to a District Centre has commenced. It is considered that the North West Quarter Regeneration, the re-zoning of the Kilmore Height Neighbourhood Site to Mixed-Use, and the anticipated Framework Plan for the North West City Park will provide synergies for the realisation of the Hollyhill District Centre. A Framework Plan that combines the objectives of all stakeholders may be required to allow for the realisation of a viable and vibrant District Centre at Hollyhill.
Additionally, the provision of a District Centre is supported in the Docklands Framework Masterplan.
[OBJECTIVE 7.30] BLARNEY AND GLANMIRE TOWN CENTRES
Defined as a Small Metropolitan Town, there are 43 retail units in Blarney town centre with a small proportion of comparison units. This indicates that the centre provides a local function, focused on convenience provision and services. The centre has a higher proportion of leisure and tourism related retail. The importance of tourism to the town indicates that there may be an opportunity for a strong role for independent retail in sustaining the commercial heart and providing a distinct sense of identity for Blarney. Opportunities for standalone convenience retailing and mixed used development is supported in the City Development Plan at an edge of centre site currently occupied by Blarney GAA, contingent on a suitable alternative site for their activities being secured. There a number of underutilised and backland sites within and adjoining the town core which, in addition to having development potential, present an opportunity for enhanced connectivity within the village.
A Town Centre Health Check for Glanmire was published in February 2024. This incorporated consultation with residents, business owners and the wider community to gather their opinions of Glanmire. The Health Check programme focuses on:
• Land Use surveys to establish the overall vacancy rates in the town. • Retailer surveys to establish current levels of commercial activity and outlook. • Pedestrian counts to establish actual town centre visitor numbers. • Shoppers surveys to rate visitor experience and satisfaction.
This baseline information will help inform future work in relation to a Framework Plan. An ongoing scoping exercise for the location of a Community and Enterprise Hub in Glanmire will continue in 2024.
[OBJECTIVE 7.38] CORK HARBOUR PLANNING FRAMEWORK
A planning framework for the Cork Harbour area is supported under Cork MASP Objective 3 ‘Cork Harbour’. It is noted that a successful precedent and model already exists in the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan for the Shannon Estuary. This involved close cooperation between the adjoining Local Authorities in the estuary area and can be a useful tool in the future development of the Cork Harbour Framework. The Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 (in Part 2 ‘Maritime Spatial Plans and Designated Maritime Area Plans’) requires any forward planning initiative for the maritime area (including
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