The communities of Douglas and Rochestown are at a critical turning point.

In July, Cork City Council will vote on Proposed Variation No. 3 to the Cork City Development Plan 2022–2028. As part of this proposal, rezoning reference SSO1 SE2 seeks to rezone approximately 17 hectares (42 acres) of Greenbelt land at Maryborough Hill/Moneygourney from City Hinterland Greenbelt to high-density residential zoning.

Under Cork City density targets, this site could accommodate 600–1,000+ dwellings. For comparison, Mount Oval contains approximately 845 dwellings on 110 acres.

This would result in the loss of one of the last major greenbelt lands in Douglas and Rochestown, despite our communities already being under severe pressure from rapid overdevelopment.

Where exactly is the site reference SSO1 SE2?

The site is at the top of Maryborough Hill. The site backs directly onto Douglas Hall AFC, limiting the club’s ability to expand and potentially forcing one of the area’s most important sporting amenities to relocate. It is also located directly behind The Boroughs residential development, placing a major high-density scheme beside established communities. All additional traffic feeding directly onto Maryborough Hill. Existing developments in the area are already experiencing significant traffic congestion and infrastructure pressure, while many large residential communities in the area continue to lack adequate local shops, services and community amenities.

Our Community Cannot Sustain More Overdevelopment
Douglas and Rochestown already face:

• A severe shortage of public green space and recreational facilities
• Chronic traffic congestion
• Flooding and drainage failures
• Road safety concerns and unsuitable road infrastructure
• Low water pressure and regular water outages
• Lack of available school places and growing waiting lists for sports clubs and extracurricular activities
• Lack of policing with increasing antisocial behaviour and no manned police station locally

Thousands of additional homes are already approved, under construction, or planned across the wider area.

These developments alone are expected to increase the local population by approximately 25%, yet roads, drainage, water supply, schools, public transport, and amenities have not kept pace.

Adding another 600–1,000+ dwellings under proposal SSO1 SE2 before these issues are resolved would place unacceptable pressure on local infrastructure and further reduce quality of life for the entire community.

Douglas & Rochestown Need a Proper Master Plan
The future of Douglas and Rochestown cannot continue to be shaped by piecemeal rezoning and developer-led planning.

What is needed is a coordinated Master Plan for the entire area - one that properly assesses:

• Infrastructure capacity
• Traffic and public transport
• Water supply and drainage
• Flood risk and environmental protection
• Community amenities and green space
• The cumulative impact of all current and planned developments

Before any further large-scale rezoning takes place, the community deserves a transparent and sustainable long-term plan.

Protect the Last Remaining Greenbelt
The Maryborough Hill/Moneygourney lands are not vacant fields. They are an important greenbelt that:

• Helps reduce flooding and surface water runoff
• Supports biodiversity and wildlife corridors
• Provides an environmental buffer beside the motorway
• Preserves open space and visual amenity for surrounding communities
• Once these lands are lost to development, they are gone forever.

A Better Vision for Douglas & Rochestown
Instead of more overcrowding and traffic, these lands should be preserved for:

• Public parks and walking routes
• Sports and recreational facilities
• Community green space for families and biodiversity
• Expansion opportunities for Douglas Hall AFC and Douglas Scouts
• Long-term sustainable community planning

This would benefit all 27,000 residents of Douglas and Rochestown, now and for future generations.

We Are Asking Cork City Council To:

• Reject rezoning proposal SSO1 SE2 for high-density housing
• Protect the Maryborough Hill/Moneygourney lands as Greenbelt/Open Space
• Rezone the lands for Parks, Sports and Recreational use
• Develop a comprehensive Master Plan for Douglas and Rochestown before any further major rezoning decisions
• Properly assess the cumulative impact of all current and planned developments before considering further rezoning

Douglas and Rochestown deserve sustainable planning, proper infrastructure, accessible green space, and a clear long-term vision to foster community.

Please sign this petition to protect the Douglas/Rochestown Greenbelt for future generations.