Plan to Transform Owenabue Car Park and Carrigaline Waterfront

Writes Leo McMahon

A plan to ‘transform’ the Owenabue car park and tidal riverside in the heart of Carrigaline was unanimously adopted at the recent meeting of Cork County Council.

Features referred to in the chief executive’s report on the ‘Part 8’ planning application by the local authority for the Carrigaline Village Public Realm Waterfront Park included:

·              A new public open area with plaza, a covered multi-functional pavilion for community events, seven rain gardens, biodiversity/pollinator planting, open green spaces and waterfront seating.

·              A new waterfront public space reclaimed from the existing car park to encourage community activities and connection to the water.

·              Enhanced shared pedestrian/cycle connectivity and accessibility.

·              Upgraded public lighting.

·              95 new off-street parking spaces near the Bothar Guidel/Lidl roundabout to replace parking reclaimed from the existing Owenabue car park and improve pedestrian safety.

The plan, it was stated, would encourage activities such as cycling, walking, festivals and community events and provide a sustainable drainage system. It would also provide an attractive route along the River Owenabue through a  new promenade and increase parking space at the Bothar Guidel (Eastern bypass) entrance and overall, establish ‘an uplifting, distinctive public realm in the heart of Carrigaline’.

The report stated that seven submissions each were received in two processes for public consultation that closed in November and April last and the majority were supportive. One modification to the latter was the updating of the landscape design plan to reflect increased levels of native planting.

In reply to a submission from Carrigaline Community Association, the report stated that a gently stepped bank seating would replace the existing fence and high hedge and provide a closer connection to the river. In reply to Tidy Towns, it stated that relocation of its office/shed would be facilitated by the Carrigaline Area Office.

To continue reading please see our digital edition; https://subscriber.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/subscribe.aspx?eid=c946bff2-f434-4a7b-a75d-621998d7e750