Plans by Cork City Council to develop the show grounds in the city through a compulsory purchase order for the 22-acre facility are to be contested by a society which has leased the site for over 100 years.
The Munster Agricultural Society, which has leased the show grounds from Cork City Council since 1892, is currently preparing a submission for An Bord Pleanála, objecting to the council's plan to take possession of the site through a Compulsory Purchase Order.
The council wants the site as part of its renewal plans for the development of the nearby docklands.
According to Munster Agricultural Society chairman George Jeffrey, the show grounds have been an integral part of Cork's heritage for over 100 years and it would be a major loss to the city if the city council was to be given the go-ahead to buy it outright.
Mr Jeffrey explained that the Munster Agricultural Society began leasing the property from Cork Corporation in 1892 with the option to renew the lease and the society is currently just 19 years into a new 99-year lease with the option to further renew the lease.
"The show grounds have been home to exhibitions and shows of all classes over the decades. Last year alone, some 150,000 people attended 90 different shows at the venue," Mr Jeffrey told The Irish Times.
"We believe that the loss of the show grounds would be as tragic for Cork city and county as the loss of the city's world renowned English Market or indeed the loss of the RDS would be for Dublin," he said.
The site, which is adjacent to the GAA's Páirc Uí Chaoimh stadium in Ballintemple in the southeastern suburbs, plays host to the Cork agricultural show every year, while it has also become a regular venue for visiting circuses as well as funfairs such as Funderland.
Cork city manager Joe Gavin said the show grounds were leased to the Munster Agricultural Society for a very low rent but that it was under-used and in need of upgrading in keeping with the plans for the docklands development.
Mr Gavin said the area was zoned for public open space as far back as the 2001 Docklands Development Strategy and the council was committed to developing it as an amenity for those coming to live and work in the docklands area.
"We estimate that up to 20,000 people will reside in the docklands and up to 20,000 people will work there, so an amenity like this is essential," said Mr Gavin, adding that the council opted for a CPO only after talks with the Munster Agricultural Society failed to reach agreement.
Mr Gavin told The Irish Times that he was disappointed at the failure of the society to reach agreement with the council, who were best placed to develop and manage the amenity for the benefit of the people of Cork over the coming years.
Meanwhile, Mr Jeffrey said the Munster Agricultural Society is currently preparing its submissions for an oral hearing into the CPO proposal from Cork City Council, which will also make submissions to justify its decision to buy the property.
If the council is given the go-ahead, it will have to provide a compensation package.
