Planning refused for urban farm on Cork’s northside 

PLANNING permission has been refused for a proposed urban farm adjacent to a shopping centre on the northside of the city.

In April, Better Value Unlimited Company submitted a planning application proposing the development of the farm – which would focus on market gardening, agroforestry and educational activities – on lands to the immediate south of Ballyvolane Shopping Centre.

A planning report submitted with the application said the lands, approximately 1.24 hectares, consist of grassland to the north of the Glen River and a mix of scrub and woodlands to the south of the river.

The plans proposed the use of lands north of the Glen River to cultivate fruits and vegetables with the market garden to include crop growing areas, a polytunnel, an outdoor welcome area and a repurposed shipping container – which would serve as a canteen, toilet and storage facility.

On the lands to the south of the river, the planning report said native trees – including a selection of fruit and nut trees – would be planted with the areas in between used for growing forest fruits and vegetables.

The planning report said the urban farm would be operated by Cork Rooftop Farm, who would “aim to provide educational and volunteering opportunities to members of the public interested in learning about sustainable urban agricultural practises and agroforestry,” the report stated.

Other development works proposed included the creation of wood chip pathways and the construction of a small bridge to facilitate access to the agroforestry area.

The planning report contended that the farm had the potential to offer multiple benefits.

It would, the report stated, initially create three new local jobs and provide educational opportunities.

In addition, crops would be harvested when ripe and in-season, which means they could be sold and consumed more quickly.

However, in refusing planning permission, Cork City Council said the subject site forms part of an ecological corridor along the Glen River and includes habitats on the site that support protected species.

“It has not been demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the planning authority, that the proposed development would not have a negative impact upon the sensitive receiving environment and on protected species, including otters,” the council said.