#portofcork – The Port of Cork Company has lodged a planning application with An Bord Pleanála for the Ringaskiddy Port Redevelopment project in the lower harbour. The application is being made under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act.
The planning application to An Bord Pleanála includes the following redevelopments under which will form an extension to the existing facilities which currently operate at Ringaskiddy.
The Ringaskiddy Port Redevelopment project consists of four key areas:
Ringaskiddy East (Container Berths and Multi-purpose Berth (CB/ (MPB))
• A new 314m Container Berth 1/ Multipurpose Berth that will be capable of accommodating vessels carrying a range of different cargoes including containers, freight and general cargoes;
• An additional 200m Container Berth 2
• Surfacing of existing port lands to provide operational areas;
• Dredging of the seabed (at new berths) to a level of -13.0 m Chart Datum (CD);
• Demolition of existing link-span
• Installation of link-span comprising a floating pontoon and access bridge;
• Installation of container handling cranes and terminal transport equipment;
• Maintenance building, administrative buildings and entrance kiosks; and
• Ancillary car parking, lighting and fencing.
Ringaskiddy West (Deep-water Berth Extension)
• A new 182m extension to the existing Deep-water Berth (DWB) which will comprise a filled quay structure extending no further seaward than the edge of the existing DWB;
• Dredging works (within Ringaskiddy basin) to varying levels to facilitate navigational access to the new facilities; and
• Lighting.
Road Improvements
• Improvements to the external road entrance into the Ringaskiddy Deep-water Terminal and to Ringaskiddy West;
• Improvements to the internal link road between Ringaskiddy East and Ringaskiddy West;
• Road improvement works within the existing harbour lands at Ringaskiddy East;
• Improvements to internal road network at Ringaskiddy East to facilitate future access to the N28; and
• Lighting and fencing.
Paddy's Point Amenity Area
• Construction of a new public pier, slipway and boarding platform;
• New planting and landscaping to provide public amenity area;
• Boat storage, lighting and fencing.
These plans are the first phase of the implementation of the Port of Cork's Strategic Development Plan Review (2010), the core principles of which were endorsed in the National Ports Policy, which highlighted Cork as a Tier 1 port of national significance. This Policy also identified the continued commercial development of the Port of Cork Company as a key strategic objective.
Over the last twelve months, the Port of Cork has carried out a number public open days and public consultation, to both inform and listen to the stakeholders around the harbour. Where possible, the comments from residents and communities within the harbour were considered and some amendments were made to the proposed plans presented at the time.
Speaking about the planning application, Brendan Keating, Chief Executive, Port of Cork said: "We have had constructive pre-application engagement with An Bord Pleanala to date and we are pleased to be lodging our planning application for Ringaskiddy Port Redevelopment today. Our needs as a port of national significance have not changed and as a Tier 1 port, the Port of Cork must be able to meet the needs of the region and those of our customers."
He continued: "Being able to accommodate larger vessels is of utmost importance if the Port of Cork is to remain competitive and future proof Cork as an international gateway for trade."
The key drivers of the rationale and need for the proposed Ringaskiddy Port Developments include the existing physical constraints in handling larger vessels and the changing nature of port activities, including the trend towards port-centred logistics. Addressing these needs would allow the Port of Cork to meet and secure its future development potential, and this would translate into significant quantified economic benefits for Cork and the surrounding region, as well as the national economy
The Port of Cork is a key link to the economic success of Ireland, in particular the entire Munster region. 98% of goods imported or exported from Ireland are moved by ship, highlighting the importance of ports to our economy.
The application documents including the Environmental Impact Statement and Natura Impact Statement may be inspected free of charge or purchased on payment of a specified fee (which shall not exceed the reasonable cost of making such copy) during public opening hours for a period of seven weeks commencing on 8th May 2014 at the following locations:
• The Offices of An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1;
• The Offices of Cork County Council, County Hall, Cork;
The application documents may also be viewed on the following website: http://www.ringaskiddyportredevelopment.ie from Friday 2nd May 2014.
A further public copy will be available for viewing only, during public opening hours, at The Foyer of National Maritime College of Ireland, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork, from Tuesday 6th May 2014.
