SHIPTON TO LODGE NEW APPLICATION IN FERMOY?
It has been revealed to The Avondhu that the Shipton Group may lodge a new application if variations proposed by the group are incorporated in the amended development plan.
This comes as the result of a recent meeting that took place between the Shipton Group and the Fermoy town councillors. All councillors present on the night were pleased with the cordial nature of the meeting and the exchange of views that took place. Fermoy Mayor, Noel McCarthy, has welcomed the progress made at the meeting.
“I want to commend the Shipton Group for their dedication to Fermoy, especially given the current difficult climate. The discussion of the upcoming town development plan review was hugely positive for both the developers and the council and I look forward to much needed discussion on Fermoy’s future.”
Cllr. Tadhg O’Donovan proposed the meeting between the two parties at the July town council meeting. He commented, “I am delighted with the positive exchange of views at the latest meeting.”
Cllr O’Donovan also told The Avondhu that, as the only councillor to oppose the adoption of the amended town development plan for the town to date, he had also made a submission to the local authority as part of the public consultation process, where he opposed the restrictions being imposed on the Shipton site and that he now felt vindicated by the variations sought by the Shipton Group.
Cllr O’Donovan affirmed, “The message to emanate was unambiguous from the Shipton Group that the restrictions being imposed on their site would have to go and be replaced by variations to the town development plan that would allow the proposed development become a viable proposition.”
“Public opinion in the form of 3,000 signatures and with most of the town councillors supporting the development last year was hijacked by the council planners,” he claimed.
Cllr O’Donovan is confident that, at last, councillors would reverse that situation through the adoption of the variations sought by the Shipton Group in the town development plan.
“The reality is that the choices facing the town councillors could not be more stark. We can ignore the Shipton Group and leave the prime site in the centre of our town continue as an eight and a half acre wasteland with the only increasing activity surrounding the site being the ever growing numbers signing on at the nearby labour exchange, or we can give Fermoy a future by incorporating the variations sought and give the phased development the green light with the building of a substantial retail development on the eastern side of the site.
"That would create hundreds of badly needed jobs, while giving those in the retail catchment area of our town the opportunity to shop with a worthwhile choice,” he concluded.
The modifications proposed by the Shipton Group for the development plan include:
• The removal of the residential, social and cultural facilities from the development
• Urban Design: The development shall be outward facing and properly address existing streets unless to do so would restrict the provision of adequate private space and car-parking to serve the development
• The development of the former mart site connects with the existing town to the west and south and should ensure that good pedestrian and vehicular links are provided through the site to ensure the appropriate growth of the town in an easterly direction in a pattern that respects the existing town structure and is appropriate to Fermoy
• Transport – Street parking will be encouraged on the western portion with significant surface parking being provided on the eastern part with strong pedestrian links to the existing town centre. On the eastern side where surface car parking is used the development of an anchor store over parking would be considered appropriate.
• Proposals for the development shall be set within the context of an overall framework for the entire site and the adjoining lands to the south and west and the OPW Flood Protection Works.
Published:
Thursday 5th November 6:00pm
