Seán Sherlock
Question:401. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the specific plans and timelines he has received from a local authority on a project (details supplied). [24205/23]
View answerTuesday, 23 May 2023
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Written answers
In line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan (NDP), the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) provides part-funding to applicant-led projects, enabling more compact and sustainable development within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns, while also ensuring that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and to visit.
To this end, the URDF has already allocated in excess of €1.6 billion under two separate calls for proposals since its inception in 2018. Providing assistance to 132 proposals, comprising of almost 400 sub-projects, URDF projects are now active in every local authority area in the country.
In 2021, following the second call for proposals under the URDF, I announced a provisional allocation of €353,407,500 in URDF support for Cork City Council's 'Cork City Docklands' proposal. This project will unlock Cork City Docklands potential to develop as a vibrant, high quality district that will attract investment in relation to mixed use development, leisure and cultural facilities. The development of Cork City Docklands is a key element of Cork City’s ambitious plans to achieve compact urban growth as part of Project Ireland 2040.
The URDF proposal for Cork City Docklands comprises several projects comprising (a) Public Realm (b) Drainage and Flooding (c) Amenities, community infrastructure and transport including the Kent Station Bridge and the Eastern Gateway Bridge. The Preliminary Business Case for Marina Park Phase 2 is scheduled to be submitted in Q2, 2023. The final phase of the 70-acre Marina Park master plan will see the creation of an 'eco-park', providing amenities and protecting the natural heritage and biodiversity of the area.
Tenders for the procurement of a multidisciplinary design team for the North Docks will be invited in Q2, 2023 with a full team expected to be appointed by the end of Q3, 2023. This project includes the realignment of Horgan’s Road, significant quayside public realm and integration of greenway infrastructure. Once complete this sub-project will unlock significant public lands for residential development directly adjacent to Kent Station with excellent access to the wider public transport network.
A multidisciplinary design team, led by Hawkins Brown have been appointed to complete the Framework Master plan for the Cork City Docklands combining existing transport, public realm, amenity, heritage, drainage and flood protection studies into a single cohesive strategy. The Preliminary Business Case is advancing for the Cork City Docklands with a view to developing coherent infrastructure bundles, which will be sequenced to support optimal regeneration while also accounting for significant interdependencies such as the removal of Seveso activities and relocation of Port Activities to the lower harbour.
Finally, it should be noted that while my Department works closely and communicates regularly with Cork City Council in respect of project funding, responsibility for the advancement of their URDF supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for Cork City Council. Accordingly, detailed queries regarding the projects should be directed to the Council.