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€6m Project To Regenerate Morrison’s Island Approved By Cork City Council

Cork City Council has voted in favour of a €6 million public realm and flood defence project for the Morrison’s Island area of the city.

Councillors voted 22 to six in favour of the scheme which, according to the Council, “will remove 80% of the flood threat in the city centre”.

Construction is expected to start in September and to be completed over 12 months.

The project is set to include an enhanced south-facing quayside streetscape, with improved pedestrian and cycling facilities, between Parnell Bridge and Parliament Bridge.

In addition, a viewing platform over the River Lee, three new public plazas, a mini-boardwalk, as well as integrated flood defences are in the planning.

Trinity footbridge is also to be redeveloped and remedial/strengthening works are to be carried out to the existing quay walls as part of the construction of integrated flood defence work.

More than 1,400 public submissions have been received since planning permisson was submitted on February 12th for regenerating Morrison’s Island. Out of these public submissions, 52% were in opposition to the plan.

The Save Cork City Group have expressed serious concerns regarding the scheme, describing it “as the largest planned destruction of heritage ever” within Ireland which “removes all 17th, 18th and 19th C. quay stone parapets and railings throughout the city centre”.

The Council has said the regenaration of Morrison’s Island is separate from the Office of Public Work’s (OPW) Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme so that protecting the city centre can occur faster.

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