Chapter 6 I Green and Blue Infrastructure, Open Space and Biodiversity
6.53 In order to ensure that sports grounds and facilities are protected, Cork City Council will ensure that adequate playing fields for formal active recreation are provided in new development areas and that existing sports facilities and grounds within the established urban area are protected, retained and enhanced. Cork City Council will aim to facilitate an increase in the number of playing pitches in the City in order to maximise the widespread use of playing pitches and for playing pitches to be utilised seven days a week, subject to protecting adjoining residential amenity.
4. Playing pitch and active sports infrastructure meets the needs of Cork City’s population. 5. Flood waters are stored within Cork’s parks and open spaces. 6. Cork’s open space are effectively integrated into their green and blue infrastructure and biodiversity networks. 7. Allotments and community gardens are provided to meet the needs of the community. 8. Open spaces are designed to maximise their biodiversity potential so that people have access to nature close to where they live. 9. Streets within the City fulfil their potential for placemaking, sustainable urban drainage, biodiversity, and carbon offset as well as movement corridors. 10. Cork City’s open space and recreational assets are managed effectively, efficiently and smartly so that the maximum benefit for all in the common good can be gained from them, given finite space within the city and the finite monetary resources available.
Artificial Grass Pitches
6.54 A key requirement in maximizing pitch use is to encourage and facilitate the development of artificial grass pitches for the use across a range of sports, clubs and organisations. The main advantages of artificial pitches will allow for greater durability, more efficient use of space, increased usage and greater flexibility. The wider use of artificial grass pitches will define performance characteristics and will also mean that less maintenance is required for a given level of use when compared to natural grass.
Active Recreational Infrastructure Study
6.51 Cork City Council has commissioned an Active Recreational Infrastructure Study to complete a survey, audit and assessment, and to provide guidance on: • Strategic gaps in sporting provision. • Deficits in infrastructure provision to meet the needs of the City. • Active Recreational Infrastructure requirements to serve Cork City and its target growth to 2040. • Water-based recreational infrastructure needs. • Development Standards to guide requirements of planning applications. 6.52 The Development Plan will be updated to incorporate the outcome of the Active Recreational Infrastruc- ture Study with regard to the following objectives: • Land use zonings
Multi-use Hub/Sport Model
6.55 There is an opportunity to develop a multi-use hub / sport model between different organisations. These hubs will not be restricted to a particular sport, club or organisation but will be open to the wider community.
• Outdoor sports infrastructure projects • Indoor sports infrastructure projects • Water-based recreation projects • Development Standards
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Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 I Volume 1
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