Firstly, a sincere thank you to everyone who continues to support this campaign - we are making our voices heard. At this point the top priority is contacting our Cork City Councillors. Every conversation, every email makes a difference at this stage.
The focus now, with just 5 days until this crucial vote, is to engage with as many Cork City Councillors as possible. There are over 60 sites up for rezoning across the city on Monday 13th July, including two smaller sites in our South East Ward. We need councillors to remember that SS01 SE2 Moneygourney/Maryborough Hill is the one to VOTE NO to.
One point that was highlighted by a number of councillors during our meetings was this: if they don't hear from residents, they assume residents are happy.
If you are not happy about this unplanned mega estate being added at the top of Maryborough Hill, over and above what is already provided for in the Cork City Development Plan; if you are concerned about increasing traffic, speeding, road safety, the lack of policing, pressure on water infrastructure, public transport, childcare, and other community amenities - now is the time to make your voice heard.
All 31 Cork City Councillors will have a vote on Monday 13th July. We need a majority to stop the rezoning now - and give us a pause to meaningfully engage with Cork City Council about what would be best on this site for all of the community. Developers Murnane O'Shea are in the wings waiting to get hold of the site - once it is rezoned, it's off to planning they go to get the maximum number of units on it.
One thing that really struck us during our meeting with the Fianna Fáil councillors was that they initially arrived on the wrong road because they didn't know where the site was. That reinforced just how important it is that councillors hear directly from the people who live here and understand the local context before making a decision off a map that will shape our community for generations.
If you could, please take a few minutes over the next few days to email or call our councillors. A message explaining why this matters to you will make all the difference. You can find the contact details for all Cork City Councillors here:
https://www.corkcity.ie/en/council-services/councillors-and-democracy/meet-your-councillors/
albert_deasy@corkcity.ie
brian_mccarthy@corkcity.ie
ciara_oconnor@corkcity.ie
colm_kelleher@corkcity.ie
dan_boyle@corkcity.ie
damian_boylan@corkcity.ie
descahill30@gmail.com
fergal_dennehy@corkcity.ie
fiona_kerins@corkcity.ie
gary_obrien@corkcity.ie
honore_kamegni@corkcity.ie
jerrica_struthers@corkcity.ie
joe_kavanagh@corkcity.ie
joe_lynch@corkcity.ie
john_sheehan@corkcity.ie
john_maher@corkcity.ie
kenneth_collins@corkcity.ie
kieran_mccarthy@corkcity.ie
margaret_mcdonnell@corkcity.ie
maryrose_desmond@corkcity.ie
michelle_gould@corkcity.ie
niamh_oconnor@corkcity.ie
noel_oflynn@corkcity.ie
oliver_moran@corkcity.ie
paudie_dineen@corkcity.ie
peter_horgan@corkcity.ie
sean_martin@corkcity.ie
shane_ocallaghan@corkcity.ie
terry_coleman@corkcity.ie
terry_shannon@corkcity.ie
tony_fitzgerald@corkcity.ie
CAMPAIGN UPDATE
- On Monday we met with Councillor Peter Horgan at the proposed 42-acre Greenbelt site. We appreciate that Peter took the time to meet us, listen to residents' concerns and discuss the issues in detail. Whatever our differences of opinion, we value councillors who are willing to listen and engage directly with the community.
Peter has confirmed that he has submitted a motion seeking an Urban Design Framework for the site. We welcome this recognition that a development of this scale requires proper planning rather than piecemeal decision-making. We urged Peter and his Labour Party colleagues to vote No to this unplanned development and instead wait for the next review of the Cork City Development Plan which is just around the corner.
The current Development Plan runs from 2022 to 2028, with the formal review process expected to begin next year in 2027 and the new Development Plan due to come into effect in 2028 and will be for 10 years. Waiting for this strategic review would allow the cumulative impact of the thousands of homes already approved or under construction, together with major infrastructure projects such as the M28, to be properly assessed before making a permanent decision on the future of this 42-acre Greenbelt site (and no doubt the many others that will follow all the way to Carrigaline).
We also appreciate Peter's indication that, if such a framework is not progressed on Monday, he would reconsider his position and encourage his Labour colleagues to also vote No. That is an important acknowledgement that Douglas and Rochestown deserve strategic planning based on evidence, infrastructure and long-term community needs.
2. Yesterday evening we met with Councillor Kieran McCarthy once more, who has consistently listened to residents and understands the importance of protecting Greenbelt lands until there is a comprehensive strategic plan for the area. We are grateful for his continued engagement and his willingness to examine the wider planning context.
3. Since our meeting with the 3 Fianna Fáil councillors, despite numerous attempts, we have not yet received a response from Councillor Mary Rose Desmond regarding how she and Councillor Sean Martin intend to vote. We continue to seek clarity and hope she will let residents know her position before the Council meeting. However, given that this is an unplanned Government-led variation to the Cork City Development Plan, we are concerned about what that may mean for the outcome with Fianna Fáil having the majority of in Cork City Council.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Terry Shannon has confirmed that he intends to vote in favour of the rezoning, reflecting his view that increasing housing supply should take priority, no matter where.
4. We have had ongoing support from Des Cahill of Fianna Gael.
5. The Green Party led by our local councillor Honore Kamegni are supporting our campaign.
6. This week we have a meeting tentatively scheduled with Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire and Sinn Féin city councillors.
7. We also have a meeting with Séamus McGrath of Fianna Fáil,
8. We also have a meeting with Jack White of Fine Gael. While Jack is a County Councillor, we cannot forget that a number of our members fall under Cork County Council.
Our message remains unchanged.
This campaign has never been about opposing housing. Cork needs more homes. It is about ensuring that housing is delivered in the right places, supported by the infrastructure, amenities and transport networks that both existing and future residents need.
Over the past week we have heard from several residents who have recently moved into the newest housing development on Maryborough Hill. They told us that the promised green space has not been delivered and the promised crèche has not materialised. Their experience highlights a growing concern. With the intense pressure to deliver housing numbers, there is a real risk that community infrastructure is simply left behind forever.
When these residents sought an answer from Cork City Councillor, they were told that it is a private estate and that they should take the matter up with the developer. But who has the time, expertise or financial resources to pursue a developer after they have already bought their home? Residents should not have to fight for the amenities that were promised as part of their community.
This is exactly why we need to call on Cork City Councillors to Vote No to rezoining this land. The planning process will not deliver as promised. We believe planning process is developer-led and will not put communities first. Housing numbers alone cannot define success. We need neighbourhoods with green spaces, childcare, safe roads and the infrastructure that allows communities to thrive. Just because rezoning Greenbelt land may be the easiest way to deliver housing numbers doesn't mean it is the right way. Otherwise, we risk creating the long-term social problems of tomorrow while chasing the housing targets of today. Cork deserves better than quick fixes. It deserves communities that are planned to succeed for generations.
There are already almost 3,000 homes approved or under construction across Douglas and Rochestown, with thousands more planned nearby. Before considering the rezoning of another 42 acres of Greenbelt land, we believe it is only prudent to understand the cumulative impact of these developments, the M28 motorway, traffic volumes, water infrastructure and community facilities.
Every email counts. Every phone call counts. If councillors don't hear from us, they assume we have no concerns.
Together, we can ensure Douglas and Rochestown grow in a way that benefits both current and future generations.
If you'd like to become more involved, please email us at moneygourneyresidents@gmail.com and we'll be delighted to add you to our residents' group. Phase 2 is to gather an action group across Douglas & Rochestown.
The more, the mightier!