“Cork City Council is very disappointed with this action.”

That’s the latest from City Hall today after it was revealed that the Save Cork City group has applied for Judicial Review of An Bord Pleanala’s decision to approve the Morrison’s Island project, due to start early next year.

The Statement of Grounds for Review was presented in court yesterday, August 11th 2020,

“The Morrison’s Island scheme is a key city centre redevelopment project, and is much needed to rejuvenate these south-facing quays and attract inward investment to Cork, while also providing protection to the city centre from the most frequent tidal flood events,” said Cork City Council’s Deputy Chief Executive, Brian Geaney.

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Joe Kavanagh, has also expressed his regret at this potential delay in progressing the project, noting that the proposals were approved by Cork City Councillors in 2018, and that the project has the strong support of the local business representative groupings.

A statement issued this afternoon said: “Cork City Council firmly believes that the Morrison’s Island project has undergone rigorous assessment, and the Council intends to finalise the detailed design required for the tender process, in anticipation of a positive outcome from the Judicial Review application.”

‘Another impediment has been put in the way’

Gerry O’Beirne, Director of Service for Infrastructure Development, expressed frustration at what he feels is misinformation being put in the public sphere regarding the Morrison’s Island Project.

“The public realm improvements proposed for Morrison’s Island will fulfil a long-standing objective of the City Council to regenerate this city centre area,” he said.

“As the area suffers from frequent flooding, it is incumbent on Cork City Council to address the related flood risk when designing the public realm enhancement works“.

Lawrence Owens, Chief Executive Officer of Cork Business Association is also disappointed.

“The Cork Business Association is both disappointed and frustrated that another impediment has been put in the way of the proposed Morrison’s Island Public Realm and Flood Defence project,” he said.

“To comment on some of the claims made by those seeking this Judicial Review would afford them far more credence than they warrant. We will nonetheless continue to actively support this project which is criticality important for the city and the citizens of Cork.’’