Open Public Consultation: Riverside Gardens Housing Development Part 8 Planning Consultation
Closing Date: 19 June 2025
Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) – Part XI
Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) - Part 8
Applicant: The Land Development Agency on behalf of Cork City Council Housing Department
Location: Site c. 3.2ha at Riverside Drive and Marina Walk, Blackrock, Cork
Proposal: Pursuant to the requirements of the above, notice is hereby given of the construction of 425 no. residential units for a site of c.3.2 ha (with a developable area of c.2.4ha) located at Riverside Drive and Marina Walk, Blackrock, Cork. The site is bound by the River Lee to the North, Blackrock Castle Observatory to the East, Marina Walk and existing residential properties to the South, and Riverside Drive to the West.
Proposed Development
The proposed development will consist of:
1. Demolition of existing above ground structures on site, including the existing 28 no. 2 bed houses and the existing community hall (which is being relocated within the site), and the construction of a residential development set out in 6 no. blocks, ranging in height from 4 to 10 storeys to accommodate 425 no. apartments, 4 no. commercial units and a childcare facility. The site will accommodate 168 no. car parking spaces, 1,063 no. bicycle parking spaces, storage, services and plant areas. Landscaping will include a new riverside promenade, residential courtyards, and a northern waterfront park which includes relocated community gardens.
2. The 6 no. residential buildings range in height from 4 storeys to 10 storeys accommodating 425 no. apartments comprising 34 studios, 156 no. 1 bed units, 198 no. 2 bed units (42 no. 2 bed- 3 person and 156 no. 2 bed- 4 person) and 37 no. 3 bed units. The residential buildings are arranged to maximize river views and are positioned around residential courtyards at podium and ground level. Balconies and terraces to be provided on all elevations at all levels for each block. The breakdown of residential accommodation is as follows:
Block A is an 8 to 10 storey building accommodating 95 no. units comprising 4 no. studios, 35 no. 1 bed units, 48 no. 2 bed units, 8 no. 3 bed units.
Block B is a 6 to 9 storey building accommodating 82 no. units comprising 28 no. 1 bed units, 41 no. 2 bed units, 13 no. 3 bed units.
Block C1/C2 is a 7 storey building accommodating 78 no. units comprising 12 no. studios, 38 no. 1 bed units, 28 no. 2 bed units.
Block D1/D2 is a 4 to 6 storey building, accommodating 74 no. units comprising 6 no. studios, 26 no. 1 bed units, 36 no. 2 bed units, 6 no. 3 bed units.
Block E is a 5 to 8 storey building accommodating 68 no. units comprising 8 no. studios, 18 no. 1 bed units, 32 no. 2 bed units, 10 no. 3 bed units.
Block F is a 6 to 7 storey building accommodating 28 no. units comprising 4 no. studios, 11 no. 1 bed units, 13 no. 2 bed units.
3. The residential Blocks A and C1/C2, and Blocks D1/D2 sit at podium level, above a ground level, which contains residential units, residential car-parking, cycle parking, plant areas and ground floor uses. Blocks A, C1/C2 and D1 have ground floor uses which include a childcare facility of c. 320 sqm, with associated external play space, and 4 no. commercial units with a total floor area of c.785 sqm. The relocated community hall is to be contained within the ground floor of Block A with associated external space. Total gross floor area of proposed other uses is c.1,105sqm.
4. The primary site access is via a new entrance from Riverside Drive at the junction with Castle View which includes for a new pedestrian crossing, with secondary access for pedestrians and cyclists only being from Marina Walk. The residential car parking, 156 spaces, is provided at below podium level between Blocks A and C1/C2 and Block D1/D2 and at surface level, in addition 3 no. childcare, 4 no. commercial and 5 no. car club spaces are provided at surface level. Provision for EV charging is included. The proposed development shall include a total of 1,063 no. bicycle parking spaces of which 1,035 no. shall be allocated to the residents of the development (inc. long-stay, short-stay and cargo bikes) and 28 no. spaces shall be allocated to the non-residential uses of the development (inc. long-stay, short-stay and cargo bikes) and in addition 12 motorcycle spaces are provided. Plant, ESB sub-stations, storage areas, waste storage areas and other associated facilities are also provided at ground level of all blocks. Access is provided through the scheme onto the River Lee walkway for pedestrians and cyclists.
5. The development also includes for new centrally landscaped areas in addition to an extensive area of linear open space is provided along the northern waterfront of the site and includes a children's playground, biodiversity planting, relocated community gardens and provides enhanced access and permeability to the River Lee. The scheme also includes for the incorporation of the existing riverside walkway infrastructure. The proposed application includes all site landscaping works, green roofs, boundary treatments, lighting, servicing, signage, and associated and ancillary works, including site development works above and below ground.
Environmental Assessment
The proposal has undergone Appropriate Assessment Screening in accordance with Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and screening for Environmental Impact Assessment under the EIA Directive 2011/92/EU, as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU.
In accordance with Article 81 of the Planning & Development Regulations 2001, as amended, the Planning Authority has made a determination and concluded that:
a) The proposed development, either individually or in combination with other plans and projects, is not likely to have a significant effect on any European site(s) and therefore a Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment is not required.
b) There is no real likelihood of significant effects on the environment arising from the proposed development and that the proposed development is not of a class set out under Schedule 5 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, and therefore does not require an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR).
Public Rights
Any person may, within 4 weeks from the date of publication of this notice, apply to An Bord Pleanála for a screening determination as to whether the development would be likely to have significant effects on the environment.
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