Volume 1 Written Statement

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Volume One: Written Statement
Challenges
11.6 The next ten years will see the City Council protect existing assets and address a number of strategic
challenges:
• Deliver a strategic plan for a network of large City Parks to provide for the recreational
infrastructure needs of the metropolitan area, and deliver a number of these including Marina
Park, Tramore Valley Park, North West (Killeens) City Park and North East City Park.
• Re-evaluate neighbourhood level provision of infrastructure, including recreational needs;
• In the historic city, including the City Centre, create positive public space in the form of pocket
parks, plazas, paved spaces adjacent to the north and south channels and enhanced streetscape
to meet recreational need; and
• Balance measures to support and enhance biodiversity against recreational needs, and to
improve ecological networks in areas of the city with lower levels of connectivity.
Strategic Context
11.7 Section 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000-2013 requires that the development plan should
zone land for “recreational (purposes), as open space or otherwise”, include objectives for “the
preservation, improvement and extension of amenities and recreational amenities” and the “social,
community and cultural requirements of the area and its population”. The Act also requires that
recreational public rights of way are identified. There is no requirement to provide for allotments but
the Land Acquisition (Allotments) Act 1926 enables the purchase of sites for this purpose.
11.8 Relevant documents and policies in relation to recreational infrastructure include the following:
• Cork - Towards a Healthier City: A Health Profile of Cork City - 2012
• Open Space Strategies: Best Practice Guidance -2009
• Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas: Guidelines for planning authorities –
2008
• Teenspace National Recreation Policy for Young People – 2007
• Ready, Steady, Play! A National Play Policy – 2004
• Cork Recreational Facilities Needs Study – 2003
• Cork City Parks Strategy - 2000
• A Parks’ Policy for Local Authorities – 1987
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The Strategic Approach
11.9 In helping to achieve a green, connected and fit-for-purpose Cork with sustainable urban
neighbourhoods in line with the core strategy in this plan, the following approach will be followed:
• Introducing an open space strategy;
• Creating sustainable connectivity between green areas;
• Provide for the recreational infrastructure needs of the city, its neighbourhoods and catchment,
and related biodiversity needs of the city;
• Provide the resources to deliver and manage the recreational infrastructure required by the
city;
148 Draft Cork City Development Plan 2015-2021