COUNCIL CALLED ON TO PURCHASE LANDS NEAR TOWN PARK

The 14 acres of land for sale, located beside Fermoy Town Park, was described this week as an ‘opportunity’ for Cork County Council as calls were extended to the council to purchase the site.

Verging the river, the site was granted full planning permission last year on the southern section of the site to develop a garden centre and café.

Located immediately adjacent to Fermoy Swimming Pool and Fermoy Town Park, the site is currently on sale in one or more lots, and according to local councillor Deirdre O’Brien, is an ‘opportunity’ to develop and expand Fermoy Town Park.

Speaking at the Fermoy Municipal District Meeting this week, Cllr O’Brien requested that they write to the Cork County Council property division to look at the proposal.

“I feel if the council bought these lands it would be an opportunity to develop and expand the town park in Fermoy. Down the road, it could be our loss and it could be a loss to the people of Fermoy. I think this is something we should look at,” Cllr O’Brien said.

Municipal District Officer Pauline Moriarty stated that she would revert the matter to the director initially. However, she also noted an associated budgetary concern.

The proposal was supported by Cllr Frank O’Flynn who agreed that the council should look at the possibility of acquiring the privately owned lands.

Highlighting his familiarity with the lands, having farmed them in the past, Cllr O’Flynn also requested that the council carry out a ‘due diligence’ report on them.