Blarney Villages Overreliance on Tourism is Unsustainable and Unjustifiable to the Wider current and future Residents of Blarney

The subject lands now proposed to be included within the ACA of Blarney are brownfield in nature with no justification or key buildings / groups of buildings of Architectural, Historical or Cultural merit, worthy to Conserve.

During review of Volume 3 Built Heritage Objectives of the Cork City Draft Development
Plan 2022 – 2028, no justification are provided for the inclusion of Irish Conference and Leisure Holdings Limited’s brownfield lands within the ACA.  The Planning Authority’s own assessment details that the focus of the ACA to be “based on the significance and character of Blarney Castle Estate and the original industrial village”.  The focus as such is:

• The Blarney Castle Estate, character defined by its recreational/tourist attraction status;
• The central green lined with modest houses;
• Church of Ireland, Church of the Resurrection, located on the North side of the central green;
• Terraces of workers housing being developed in association with the expansion of the Mills;
• Blarney Woollen Mills located to the east of the central green;
• Residential buildings associated with the Mills; and
• The former terminus of the Cork and Muskerry Light Rail.

Were it recommend to include the Subject Lands due to the setting of Blarney Castle, its noted that such designation is restricted to the extent of land ownership in the name of  Irish Conference and Leisure Holdings Limited, and does not extend to neighbouring lands to the west of the subject lands, or the Northern Residential Suburbs, or the norther surrounding elevated lands, all which are in full visual view of Blarney Castle as confirmed by Map 06 of the View Management Framework within Cork City Draft Development Plan 2022 – 2028.

The Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2011 details that boundaries of ACA’s should make physical, visual and planning-control sense and that it “may be necessary to refer back to the core characteristics of the area in order to establish the most appropriate boundary lines”.

We further acknowledge that the choice of boundary may be influenced by considering the importance of the various views into and out of the area, and that it is not necessary to include all territory encompassed by such views.  However, appears that the additional ACA designation is restricted to the land extent in the ownership of  Irish Conference and Leisure Holdings Limited, questioning the motives of the Planning Authority in this regard.

Having regard to the foregoing and noting that subject lands are considered brownfield with no justification or key buildings / groups of buildings of Architectural, Historical or Cultural merit, worthy to Conserve, it is therefore contended that the proposed designation of the subject lands as ACA is unjustifiable, and the removal of the Proposed ACA designation would not be inconsistent with the Proper Planning and Sustainable Development of Blarney.

It is our Professional Planning Opinion that the designation of the Blarney Castle as a Strategic Landmark Building within the View Management Framework regime presented by Cork City Council with the Cork City Draft Development Plan 2022-2028, adequately secures the processes in place through the Development Management Process to facilitate the Proper Planning and Sustainable Development of Blarney.

The subject land is immediately adjacent to Blarney Town Centre, the proposed ZO 02 New Residential Neighbourhoods zoning designation of the fully serviced brownfield lands, undermines the ability to present a logical form and pattern of development to support the sustainable and logical growth of Blarney, and does not allow the residents of Blarney to access the town centre via reduced motor vehicle movement.

The availability of the fully serviced developable brownfield subject lands located immediately adjacent Blarney Town Centre is however being ignored, or curtailed/hindered/obstructed/impeded from development which will assist to achieve the Development Objectives contained within Cork City Draft Development Plan 2022 – 2028 in pursuit of a the 15-Minute City Neighbourhood Concept, facilitating development from where residents will be able to walk and cycle to access the resources and facilities within the Blarney neighbourhood.

It is therefore requested that the subject lands be zoned ZO 01 Sustainable Residential Neighbourhoods, acknowledging the lands being brownfield lands which are fully serviced and located immediately adjacent Blarney Town Centre and will adequately secure the focussed development of these lands by consolidating the village and being within close walking distance of all facilities through, thereby facilitating the Proper Planning and Sustainable Development of Blarney during the life span of the Cork City Draft Development Plan 2022 – 2028.

Having regard to the foregoing and noting that subject lands current use as Surface Carpark providing key parking facilities to serve the overall tourism offer of Blarney, it is therefore contended that the proposed zoning of the Surface Carpark lands as ZO 07 Urban Town Centre zoning is inconsistent with the current established use of the lands, and the removal of the ZO 07 Urban Town Centre zoning would not be inconsistent with the Proper Planning and Sustainable Development of Blarney.

It is therefore requested that the subject lands be zoned ZO 15 Public Infrastructure and Utilities which more appropriately reflects the current Surface Carpark use providing key parking facilities to serve the overall tourism offer of Blarney, thereby facilitating the Proper Planning and Sustainable Development of Blarney during the life span of the Cork City Draft Development Plan 2022 – 2028.