Group to fight plan for former brewery
A heritage group last night pledged to fight the decision to give the go-ahead for a €150m development on the site of a former brewery.
An Bord Pleanala granted permission for the project in the South Main Street area in Cork, which will include an exhibition area, cinema, restaurants, bars, a viewing gallery, artists' studio, apartments, and two pedestrian bridges across the River Lee .
Heineken Ireland and BAM Contractors are behind the development at the former Beamish and Crawford Brewery, which dates to 1792.
Planners granted permission with 24 conditions, but the National Conservation and Heritage Group, which is opposed to the development, has said they will take their fight to Europe.
Chairman Damien Cassidy said there were alternative sites within the city that did not have the same heritage value that can be developed.
"If this is to be allowed to happen, it means that any foreign company with money, despite the recession, can come in here, buy up what they see fit and appropriate for events centres and destroy our heritage," Mr Cassidy said.
The development is expected to create between 250 and 300 jobs during construction.
The Beamish and Crawford brewery, owned by Heineken, closed in March 2009.
- Colm Kelpie
Irish Independent
