Works to begin on historic lodge

A notice is due to be lodged shortly to begin construction on a derelict building on the southside of Cork city. The Gate Lodge at the entrance to the technology park on Model Farm Road was in the spotlight during the latest Cork City Council meeting after Sinn Féin Cllr Henry Cremin asked for an update on the site.

The historic building was put up for sale by the council in late 2017.

Cllr Cremin said: “One of the stipulations of that sale was that work would begin on this property within 24 months and seeing that this hasn’t happened, will the ownership of this property now revert back to the city council?”

Paul Moynihan, Director of Corporate Affairs and International Relations, explained: “This site was purchased with the intention of developing offices for the purchasers’ businesses. They appointed an architect to progress those plans and a planning application was lodged on 23 May 2019 for change of use, repair works to existing lodge, some demolition works and construction of new single storey extension and associated works.”

The planning process was, Mr Moynihan said, “relatively complex” and protracted with conditional permission being granted on 19 March 2020.

In parallel with the planning process, the purchasers also had to deal with issues in relation to rights of way, which created a further complexity, he said. He added: “We understand that these issues are now resolved and site clearance works are under way. The purchaser has confirmed that a commencement notice is due to be lodged shortly to start construction. I consider that the best way to ensure the removal of dereliction is to continue to work with the purchasers, whilst monitoring their progress.”

He also said that the council does not have a business case to re-purchase the property and this would only lead to further delays in bringing forward a resolution to the derelict site.

Mr Moynihan also said that progress will be reviewed quarterly to ensure that the purchasers move the project forward.