Page 10 - COBH EDITION 15th SEPTEMBER DIGITAL VERSION

Belvelly Port Facility Consults on New Site Masterplan
‘Former IFI Site at Marino Point could become a Dynamic Industrial Hub’

In 2017 the Port of Cork jointly with Lanber Holdings purchased Marino Point,
a deep-water port facility in Cork Harbour and set up Belvelly Marino Develop-
ment Company which operates as Belvelly Port Facility. Following consultation with
Belvelly Marino Development Company, stakeholders, residents and a design team
the Belvelly Port Facility Masterplan was developed.

The masterplan sets out the strategic approach of Belvelly Marino Development
Company and is a guide to the future development of Belvelly Port Facility. The aim
of the masterplan is to create a framework for the proposed on-going industrial
development of the site, while creating a high-quality workplace environment for
the future workforce population.

Henry Kingston Port Engineering Manager at the Port of Cork said: ‘A lot of work
has been going on in the background since we jointly purchased the Belvelly Port
Facility in 2017 and we are delighted today to consult with residents, local repre-
sentatives, and other stakeholders on the masterplan for the site. The Masterplan
will act as a guide to both decision making and the phasing of any proposed devel-
opments to ensure the most appropriate fit for existing infrastructure and services
and we welcome the views and input from stakeholders as we move forward to
enabling works and the environmental clean-up of the site.’
It is envisaged that Marino Point will be developed to accommodate a range of
industrial and port related activities and could become a dynamic industrial hub for
the area, thus creating employment. As part of the Project Ireland 2040 National
Planning Framework, one of the key future growth enablers for Cork is to deliver
large scale regeneration projects for the provision of new employment and sup-
porting infrastructure in Cork Docklands, as integrated, sustainable developments,
including relocation of sites from the City Docks. Belvelly Port Facility has been
identified to enable this type of growth.

The opportunity to optimise the rail connection on the site will be a focus going for-
ward and the Port of Cork is committed to seeking out suitable port users/custom-
ers which could potentially use the rail connection to transport their goods.

Mr Kingston continued: ‘The potential uses of the site vary and could be anything
from dry, break or liquid bulk cargo, bio energy, general industry and even tour-
ism. As a key stakeholder in Belvelly Port Facility, the masterplan will allow the
Port of Cork to plan for future growth and prepare for variations in trade, import
and export of goods to and from Ireland and through Cork in particular. It will also
facilitate the expansion and transfer of Port facilities from the Cork City Docklands
and is part of the long term vision for the Port of Cork.’

Port master planning is in line with international best practice generally and is
consistent with policy to improve integrated planning for all modes of transport.
The National Ports Policy recognises strongly the desirability of this process for the
long-term planning of all Port of National significance (Tier 1 and 2).