A funeral home in Cork has been denied permission by the Cork City Council to expand into a former bank building.
The proposed project included partial demolition of the ground and first floors, as well as the construction of single-story extensions. These extensions would have housed new stairs, offices, family rooms, restrooms, and service areas. The removal of a night deposit safe and ATM from the existing premises was also planned.
Fordes, a funeral home with over 80 years of history, operates multiple locations in Cork, including Fordes South Gate Bridge in Cork City, Fordes Carrigaline, and Sullivans Funeral Home in Turners Cross.
The development faced several objections, including one from independent Cork City Councillor Albert Deasy. He voiced concerns from local residents regarding “entirely inadequate” parking facilities and the potential for increased traffic in an already congested area of Cork.
Cork City Council rejected the plans, stating that the location’s close proximity to a major junction serving two key routes in and out of the city from the N40 was a factor.
“Given the proximity of major institutions in the area such as Munster Technological University and Cork University Hospital, the junction experiences congestion on a daily basis, particularly at peak times,” the council stated in its decision.
“Having regard to the site’s location adjoining a heavily trafficked road and a major traffic junction where the cross-traffic movements generated by the proposed development would interfere with the safety and free flow of traffic on the road, the proposed development would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard.”
The council further explained that the proposed development would increase on-street parking along a major traffic route and close to a major junction, thereby endangering public safety by obstructing road users.
“The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area,” the council concluded.
