The retail shopping element of one of the largest commercial developments proposed for Cork has been turned down by An Bord Pleanala.
O'Flynn Construction Company Ltd, the developers, had proposed a 65,000 sq ft supermarket/shopping mall as a key component of its £500 million Eastgate scheme at Little Island outside Cork.
The huge supermarket would have been accompanied by up to 16 shops and was considered an essential part of the integrated project, which includes purpose-built office space as well as 90,000 sq ft of retail warehousing on a 120-acre site.
However, in its decision issued yesterday the board said that, while it was allowing the retail warehousing element, the planned supermarket and shopping units were being refused.
The project was one of the largest proposed in Cork, and its initial phase, the construction of purpose-built office accommodation, is already under way.
It was anticipated that when completed in four years the scheme would give permanent employment to 4,000 people, while thousands of other jobs would be created during the construction stage.
In turning down the retail element, An Bord Pleanala said its nature and scale would be in conflict with the Cork County Development Plan and the Cork Strategic Plan. It further cited increased traffic risks for not allowing the project.
Mr Michael O'Flynn, managing director of O'Flynn Construction Company Ltd, said last night he was surprised by the refusal. The decision would also be a disappointment for local people who had supported the proposals during the past four years, Mr O'Flynn claimed.
The developers will now study the decision before deciding on the next move.
Mr Roger Flack, a spokesman for Hamilton Osborne King, one of the joint agents for the scheme, said the news was especially disappointing because it had been established that the area was zoned for retail purposes. "The entire project would have been the largest business park outside Dublin, and the intention was to include retail in it to make it an integrated scheme.
"The developers will now have to decide whether to challenge An Bord Pleanala's decision on a point of law or go back to Cork County Council with a new planning application for a lesser retail development."
Mr O'Flynn said he was surprised by remarks attributed to Mr Joe McCarthy, Midleton town clerk, that he was pleased with the board's decision.