Untitled - Cork City Council

Cork Strategic Retail Study
pressure to allow more suburban development than we have indicated might be
appropriate, because the City centre projects were delayed and could not meet market
demand. This, after all, was the original planning justification for Mahon Point.
6.58 Current commitments and proposals in the core retail area of the city are likely to be
implemented within the next few years. After that there could be a lead-in time of up to
five years whilst the next phase of City centre retail developments are brought forward.
In order to ensure that the Suburban District centres do not expand further at the
expense of the city centre we advise that the guideline floorspace targets for the
District centres are not exceeded under any circumstances without a full review of the
retail strategy set out in this report.
6.59 The transport implications of new suburban development will need to be considered
and will be a factor in the phasing of such new development. As well as individual
impacts the overall transport impacts will need to be considered.
6.60 Further significant expansion or redevelopment of the District Centres should be
supported by a detailed traffic and transport assessment based on a substantive traffic
modelling exercise. Traffic and Transport Assessments should contain proposals for
improvements to the current road network, public transport, pedestrian and cycle
facilities and demand management measures, to help deliver sustainable development
throughout the network of district centres.
6.61 A combination of public and private funding will be required to implement transport
solutions and mitigation measures for traffic impact.
6.62 In conclusion, retail development, in particular in the suburban District Centres, will
need to include comprehensive transport solutions for each centre and an agreed and
funded implementation plan in line with the provisions of the relevant Development
Plans/Local area Plans.
Specialist Retail Formats
Retail Warehousing
6.63 Currently we estimate that there is some 89,000 square metres (gross) of retail
warehousing in both new, purpose-built premises and first generation converted space.
Some three quarters is in the suburban centres and the outer metropolitan area. There
are outstanding commitments for an additional 26,415 square metres, the largest
scheme being Eastgate on Little Island.
6.64 Cork was late in attracting market investment in retail warehousing but caught up
rapidly by 2007. At the present time this sector of retail activity achieves a 13% market
share. It would be appropriate to plan for up to a 15% share.
6.65 There are market indications that this recent surge in development may have served to
enable Cork to catch up with the backlog of unmet demand. However, there will still be
a continuing demand for retail warehouse provision, especially in response to a rapidly
growing population and major urban developments.
6.66 By 2020 an additional 93,440 square metres or so might represent a reasonable
planning guideline for additional development. It should be noted that this is a net
sales figure. The equivalent gross floorspace total would amount to some 104,000
square metres (rounded), assuming a net to gross floorspace ratio of 90%.
6.67 Over the last five years the focus of investment interest has been the suburbs of Cork
and the inner fringe of the OMA. We envisage that the market in time will wish to bring
forward sites serving the greatest growth in population in both the short and medium
term and move away from the currently well-supplied suburban market. Reflecting the
projected location of new development we recommend the following distribution of
future retail warehouse floorspace (in terms of gross floorspace):
Roger Tym & Partners with Simon Clear & Associates
March 2008 49