Volume 1 Written Statement

Chapter 2: Core Strategy
2.20 Although there is little ‘greenfield’ land to accommodate employment growth in Cork City there are
substantial opportunities for employment growth well above the 16,000 target in a range of locations,
much of it through redevelopment of brownfield land in the city centre and docklands and intensification
of existing employment lands in locations such as Mahon and Blackpool. The overall economic strategy
is outlined in Chapter 3 but the proposed broad spatial distribution of new employment is shown in
Table 2.4 below. More than sufficient land is zoned in these locations to allow these targets to be met.
The city centre and adjoining areas in inner docklands will be the primary locations to be targeted for
employment growth, particularly office employment, as well as retail, services and entertainment. A
range of other locations are also identified to accommodate growth in employment, based on land
available in suitable locations.
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Location
Table 2.4: Employment Distribution targets
% share of city
Employment growth
City Centre and inner docklands 47 7,500
Mahon 22 3,500*
Rest of Southside 12 2,000
Northside 19 3,000
Total 100 16,000
Employment growth
target to 2011-2021
*Plus 2000 to allow for occupation of recently completed office blocks in Mahon
Development Strategy
2.21 The areas which will be the main focus of new development in the city over the period of the Plan and
beyond are outlined below and shown in Figure 2.1. These areas are mainly ‘brownfield’ sites which
can be redeveloped to enable the city to provide for the needs of the existing and expanded population
as well as facilitating the implementation of the CASP update economic strategy. These areas will act
as key development and employment nodes in the city. They will meet sustainable development
objectives through the provision of:
• A mixture of residential and non-residential development
• Economic activity and employment provision
• Higher density development, where appropriate
• Potential for high quality public transport provision
• Good quality environment and services
• High quality urban design
2.22 The strategy for each area is set out in the plan in Chapters 13 and 14. In most cases Local Area Plans
or Regeneration plans have been prepared or are envisaged. The regeneration of the City Centre and
the development of a new urban quarter in Docklands are the key development opportunities for the
city. However, it is necessary to have a range of other development opportunities to allow choice in
location and to facilitate a range of development types. In addition to these key development areas early
opportunities for development are likely to come on stream on infill sites in other locations in the
suburbs, some of which may already have planning permission.
Draft Cork City Development Plan 2015-2021
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