The Port of Cork is requesting permission from An Bord Pleanála for alterations to the development proposed under PA0035 for which planning permission was granted in May 2015.
PA0035 was a planning application made under the Strategic Infrastructure Act for a redevelopment of the Port of Cork’s facility in Ringaskiddy. This redevelopment comprised works at Ringaskiddy East, Ringaskiddy West and Paddy’s Point.
The components of the Ringaskiddy East development for which permission was granted are:
- Berth 1, a new 314m Container / Multipurpose Berth to the north of the existing ferry berth, to accommodate vessels carrying different cargoes.
- Berth 2, a new 200m Container Berth to the north of berth 1.
- Reclamation of approx. 2.4ha to facilitate the new berths.
- Installation of a new link-span comprising a floating pontoon and access bridge at Berth 1 to facilitate ro-ro operations.
- Surfacing of existing port lands to provide an operational area for container and cargo storage.
- Dredging of the seabed to a level of -13.0m Chart Datum (CD).
- Removal of an existing link-span, to the south of the ferry terminal.
- Installation of container handling cranes and terminal transport equipment.
- Maintenance building, administrative buildings and entrance kiosks.
The grant of permission was for a period of 10 years and was subject to 18 conditions.
The alterations now being requested by the Port of Cork are for:
- A change in the landside handling system from Rubber Tyre Gantry Cranes to a Straddle Carrier system with ultimate installation of 2 Rail Mounted Gantry Cranes to work with the Straddle Carriers. This would result in containers being stacked 3 high as opposed to 5 high, a 7% larger footprint for container storage, altered noise barriers and altered lighting columns.
- To omit the linkspan from Berth 1 and to use it for containers only. The linkspan makes Roll On-Roll Off trade possible. Because Ro-Ro activity cannot be commenced until the upgrading of the N28 is complete, omitting the linkspan would increase the berth length for containers from 514 metres to 560 metres (an increase of 9%). Additional dredging (18% additional over that already permitted in Ringaskiddy East) would also be required.
- The replacement of two mooring bollards and landside storm bollard with three new mooring bollards, each requiring 8 piles. This would allow the ferry terminal and container terminal operations to be separated.
- Relocation and realignment of entrance and exit area. This would not impact on approved plans for vehicular access to and from site.
- New maintenance, office and customs buildings with dedicated compound to the south of the existing Ferry Terminal access road by the eastern entrance to the Port of Cork lands. The new maintenance building would be 22.5 metres high and capable of accommodating 3 Straddle Carriers simultaneously. The maintenance building would also be built outside of the footprint to which PA0035 related.
If you wish to express your views in relation to this material alteration, you can make a submission to be received by An Bord Pleanála at 64, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1 by close of business on Friday, 7th October. Include:
- the reference PA0035 Material Alteration – Port of Cork, Ringaskiddy
- your name and address
- a fee of €50, although there is no charge if you made a submission to last year’s planning application.
Documentation (reports and drawings) submitted by the Port of Cork in respect of this material alteration can be viewed at the public planning desk of Cork County Council, County Hall. I have scanned the reports (I cannot scan the drawings) and they are available here. If you would like any clarification on these, please contact me. Just be aware that any annotations or highlighting are from my own work on the documents.
Covering notes
PoC introductory letter
Alterations Report
Screening for AA, Chapters 1-4
Screening for AA, Chapters 4-5
Environmental Report, Chapters 1-6
Environmental Report, Chapters 7-10
Environmental Report, Chapters 11-13
Environmental Report, Chapters 14-16