YOUGHAL HAS moved a step closer to obtaining a long-awaited marina following Cork County Council’s decision to invite tenders to develop a hotel and berthing area for boats in the town.
The local authority is investigating the possibility of either selling or leasing publicly owned land a short distance from the town centre to facilitate a new development.
A marina has long been regarded as a key development in breathing new life into the town and helping to fulfil its tourism potential. However, there has been little progress on the issue over the past two decades or more.
Informed sources say that at least two developers have already expressed interest in developing a hotel and conference centre, along with a marina, at the site.
The town’s development plan aims for a 150- to 200-bed hotel in the area, along with a conference centre and leisure resort. The development should also include a marina in the area west of the sea wall known as the “slob bank”.
The council says tenders to develop the site should comply with this development plan and contain details of developers’ financial status and ability to deliver the proposed project.
Local Fine Gael councillor Barbara Murray yesterday said the move was a very positive development for the town.
