This was received as a comment. We look forward to objecting through the planning process to Mr. Mahon’s intentions for the green.

I am the new owner of No. 1 Park Gate Villas and the surrounding area. I have been described of late as being a ” greedy developer ” and that the community needed to be protected from my “onslaught “.

Well, just to give you some background, I am also from Bishopstown and took a passing interest when I saw the house and lands advertised. I kept a watch on the bidding process , and with the aid of my legal advisors got an understanding of the legal status of the lands, and got advice as to the zoning. I was satisfied that the title was “clean” and that the zoning was such that allowed residential development.

Eventually, I was invited to a private auction for the lands. I am a businessman, but I also feel an affinety for the area. I did not feel optimistic going into the auction,as I felt that the closing price would be such that only a major development would Justify the price. However, the lands became available at a price where I felt that a reasonable development could be carried out which would allow for a fair return for my endevour , and to allow for a considerable public open space.

In the coming week I propose to make an outline application for 4 houses on the lands, which will incorporate a public green area of C. 60% of the area. I am aware of and expect opposition from people around the area and fully acknowledge the right of those who wish to object. However, I want to repeat that I only purchased the lands at a level that I felt comfortable with in relation to a reasonable development, and that if ultimatly if I am not successfull in the planning process, then I will offer the lands up for sale again.
Just to close, it concerns me that people regard “developers” and “property speculators” in such a manner. A developer is only one link in a chain in the property industry which begins with the landowner and goes on to include builders ,tradesmen, auctioneers ,solicitors, architects, engineers , carpet and furniture shops etc. and ultimatly the final arbiter, the purchaser. To assume that greed is always attributable only to the developer is unfair,and to remind people that those of us who live in a house in which we are lucky enough to own, have paid a price which we set for ourselves. Secondly, all houses are sited upon lands that were at one stage ” green areas”, so nobody can expect that lands outside of their ownership should always remain green.

Ken Mahon

The Planning and Development Directorate have published a notice of a variation of the City Development Plan 2004 to protect the green open spaces within housing developments throughout the city. This notice was published in the Irish Examiner on Monday, 1st October 2007.

It was also published on the Cork Corporation website as proposed variation number five.

PROPOSED MATERIAL AMENDMENT 1: OPEN SPACE

Amend Policy NHR11 (p115 of the City Plan 2004) as follows:
(New text is highlighted in bold, and text proposed for deletion is indicated in strikethrough).

Policy NHR11: Public Open Space

• To protect and improve existing areas of public open space. There will be a presumption against development of public open spaces, including unzoned public spaces within housing estates. In exceptional circumstances development of unzoned public open spaces may be considered where the public open space is not functioning effectively due to scale, location, layout or where there is some significant community gain from its development for other purposes.

• That all open space in estates in the city along with any green area that formed part of a planning permission for development and was identified for the purposes of recreation/ amenity/ open space is deemed to be zoned as “Public Open Space” to protect and provide for land for recreation, open space and amenity purposes. It is also acknowledged in relation to such areas that if the appropriate colour on the Development Plan maps (Figures 9.1, 9.4, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 &10.5) is not in place then it is accepted that it is for technical reasons and notwithstanding this, the areas are deemed to be zoned for recreation, open space and amenity use.

• To provide and promote high quality open spaces that are well designed, suitably proportioned and accessible to the surrounding community. The development of open spaces should aim to enhance and protect natural features and views and be set in safe and secure environments with the emphasis on active open spaces enjoyed by all sectors of the community.

• To follow an approach of qualitative as well as quantitative standards for open spaces providing high quality open spaces with high levels of access to recreation for local communities.

We urge everyone who has supported the campaign to Keep Bishopscourt Green and indeed who would like to keep the green spaces within their own developments to write to the Director of Services and City Engineer, Mr. Kevin Terry in support of the change to the city development plan. Support of this variation is very important for the protection of the green spaces within the city.

Submissions must be in writing and should be sent to:
Kevin Terry,
Director of Services and City Engineer,
Planning and Development Directorate,
City Hall,
Cork.

Submissions must be made between Tuesday, 2nd October 2007 and Tuesday, 30th October 2007. Submissions received by 1630hrs on the 30th October 2007 will be taken into consideration before the undertaking of the variation to the City Development Plan 2004.