[Article] Multi-million euro plan unveiled for Irish ISPAT site

Victor

I realise that Cobh train station will be just across the channel, but isn't this a rather odd place for a development like this?

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2006/07/28/story269822.html

Multi-million euro plan unveiled for Irish ISPAT site
28/07/2006 - 14:38:27

The Government has given the green light for a multi-million euro tourism, commercial and residential development on the former Irish ISPAT site on Haulbowline, Co Cork.

It’s believed to be the biggest development since the Dublin Financial Services Centre.

Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister, Micheál Martin said the State plan for the former industrial site is to include:

200 apartments;

16,000 square metres of office space;

a marina, with up to 225 berths and clubhouse;

a 300 bed hotel;

a Maritime Museum;

a landmark building, which Minister Martin said “will become a renowned feature for Cork.”

Minister Martin confirmed that he has the backing of the Taoiseach for the plan.

“What we plan is to ensure that Haulbowline Island becomes a world focal point and a major tourism, jobs and residential related contributor to the Cork economy,” he told The Evening Echo.

It is understood that Minister Martin is to announce a committee to oversee the implementation of the project, including representatives of the neighbouring naval service, and expects a report back by November.

Currently the 44 acre site is at an advance stage of environmental cleaning and it is understood that preliminary development work on Minister Martin’s plan could begin in the coming year.

Major international high tech companies are expected to avail of some of the office space being allocated in what Minister Martin said is, “a site that had the potential to be the most attractive waterside site in Europe.”

The jobs that would be generated in the new development will be alto greater than what was lost in the closure of the steel plant.

Minister Martin added: “Haulbowline has unique attractions, including the National Maritime College and the UCC Marine Research Centre. These, and its longstanding marine traditions, will form the basis for a complete redevelopment plan which will transform the environment in Cork and particularly the lower harbour.”

The plan will be welcomed by local interests, who have looked on with concern as to the future of what is currently an eyesore on the entrance to Cork harbour. It is now, though, set to be one of the focal points in Europe of business. tourism and leisure-related use.

Chris_533976

I think this is an excellent idea. I live near Cobh and have seen the state of the ISPAT site for years. It really spoils the view from Cobh and is a terrible mess.

Putting a hotel and a Marina there will look great. As long as its done tastefully and for example the apartments dont look like a glorified estate.

That said, Cobh groups are fighting to keep Spike Island the way it is, for some heritage reason, so I wouldnt be surprised if a few of them fight to keep ISPAT the way it is now......

monument

I can see the bulletin points in an advert now…

- Blah, blah, and blah.
- Blah, and blah
- 200 apartments
- 16,000 square metres of office space
- Marina, with up to 225 berths and clubhouse
- A 300 bed hotel
- Maritime Museum
- Train station near by
- All “environmental” waste gone!

Chris_533976

heh


- Train station near by*



















* person must be able to swim

BrianD

Maybe they could run some fast ferries into the city centre like in Sydney or SF?

I believe the there is a serious problem with the amount of waste that is on the ispat site.

Chris_533976

The idea of a waterbus type think linking Cork, Cobh and say, this new development was mooted in the past.

Far as I remember the insurance companies put paid to it with retarded premiums for the companies involved. Made it too expensive to even consider.

Maskhadov

is there going to be a awe inspring master plan with fantastic buildings and rail transport infastructure to boot or is this just a small scale project ?? Its a fantastic oppurtunity though.

Chris_533976

There wont be any rail, as Hawlboline isnt linked to Cobh. Any rail would require new lines all the way from Cork, which aint gonna happen

deRanged

There is the existing ferry service to the Naval base and (formerly) ISPAT.
I presume the plan would be to have this serving the new development and Cobh.
You could then in theory commute to Cork city on public transport.

I think it would be fantastic for the harbour - the ISPAT site is an incredible eyesore.

dowlingm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seabus

Victor

Realise that it is madness for a ferry to try to compete with a train.

The existing cross-harbour car ferry will have a new station at Ballynoe serving Monkstown.

deRanged

Victor wrote:

Realise that it is madness for a ferry to try to compete with a train.

but if it compliments it that makes sense.

The existing cross-harbour car ferry will have a new station at Ballynoe serving Monkstown.

Will there be two separate cross river ferries?

Victor

deRanged wrote:

but if it compliments it that makes sense.

The suggested ferry would compete with, not compliment the train. In the upper harbour everything is limited to 5 kt (9km/h) - twice walking speed.

Will there be two separate cross river ferries?

One is a car ferry (Ballynoe-Monkstown) for the general public, the other a pedestrian ferry (Cobh-Haulbowline), mostly for the naval service.

deRanged

Victor wrote:

The suggested ferry would compete with, not compliment the train. In the upper harbour everything is limited to 5 kt (9km/h) - twice walking speed.

Ah - I wan't talking about that though. I was talking about the Haulbowline - Cobh ferry. It used to serve the site already for the ISPAT workers, so they could just revamp the service to try to get commuters to cross from the new development to Cobh and on to Cork on the train.

And I've been up and down that river somewhat faster than 5 knots and it takes ages, it wouldn't make any sense for a Cobh/Cork ferry.

Diaspora

Realistically I can't see any great numbers crossing the river and then hopping the train at least not in the short term. However the ISPAT site would be a perfect location for the Department of the Marine under the decentralisation programme given the marine college and naval base as well as the ferry connection towards Ringaskiddy where the new port is to be built.