For many years, a derelict building in the heart of Blackpool has stood as an eerie reminder of the town’s faded glory. Despite several attempts at redevelopment, the property has remained untouched and abandoned. However, hope springs eternal as the building’s owner has announced his fifth attempt at bringing the property back to life. With ambitious plans for a luxurious hotel and spa, the developer is hoping that this time around, the project will finally come to fruition. But will the fifth time be the charm, or will the property continue to languish in neglect? Only time will tell.
Businessman Kieran O’Shea, who owns a derelict warehouse at 11 Broad Lane in Blackpool, Cork, has lodged a new planning application in a bid to develop apartments on the site. The property has been on the city’s derelict sites register for almost two decades, and O’Shea has tried several times to secure planning permission over the last 20 years. However, planning applications lodged in 2008, 2010, 2016 and 2020 were all refused due to concerns about the height and massing of the proposed structure and concerns regarding its potential impact on neighbouring properties.
The most recent planning application, lodged in 2021, was finally approved, but only on the condition that the top floor be omitted. O’Shea sought to appeal this condition, but missed the appeals deadline by one day, rendering the appeal deemed invalid. As a result, the site remains derelict.
The building, a mid-19th century tenement, known locally as The Castle, was formerly home to up to 16 families. The 170-square metre building is 10.5 metres high, with a pitched roof and a lower two-storey return, and set in an established residential area, which planners described as having a “tight urban grain”, with a lower two-storey terrace adjoining it to the south and north, and Seminary Court estate, a series of terraced homes, located on an elevated site to the west.
In previous planning reports, planners have described the site as “awkward” with an existing building that has “an unusual relationship with adjoining residences” but stressed that refurbishment of this site “is important to achieve”. According to the latest planning application, O’Shea is seeking permission from Cork City Council for the demolition of the existing derelict building and the construction of four apartments in a new four-storey block, with the top floor partially set back on the southern and eastern elevations.
Several apartment developments are currently underway in the Blackpool area, with the population of the urban village expected to double over the coming years. O’Shea’s proposed development is adjacent to an inner-city residential development, making it a potentially attractive investment for those seeking a city-centre location with easy access to several local amenities.
Despite the persistence of O’Shea’s efforts to secure planning permission for the development, planners have consistently raised concerns regarding the potential impact of the proposed structure on neighbouring properties. It remains to be seen whether O’Shea will submit another planning application in the future or if he will pursue other avenues to have his development approved.
The development of derelict sites is important for any city, and Cork is no exception. The Cork City Council recognises the importance of keeping an up-to-date register of derelict sites and has committed to reducing the number of derelict buildings in the city. The council has also made a significant investment in a regeneration project for the Blackpool area, which includes the development of new social housing, enhanced streetscapes, and new public transport infrastructure.
In conclusion, the persistent efforts of Kieran O’Shea to secure planning permission for the development of the derelict warehouse at 11 Broad Lane in Blackpool have so far been unsuccessful. While the proposed development has the potential to revitalise the area, planners have raised concerns about the potential impact of the structure on neighbouring properties. The city of Cork recognises the importance of keeping an up-to-date register of derelict sites and has committed to reducing the number of derelict buildings. With several apartment developments currently underway in the Blackpool area, it remains to be seen whether O’Shea will succeed in his efforts to have his development approved.
