St. Peter's Avenue/Portney's Lane Sketch Plan (1995)

8/3/2019 St. Peter's Avenue/Portney's Lane Sketch Plan (1995)

1/10

64-1 000 014-Department of Town Planning

Cork Corporation

St. Peter's Avenue/Portney's LaneSketch Plan

John O'DonnellCity Planning OfficerAugust 1995


2/10

1. IntroductionAt the meeting of the City Centre Management Group on July 28th last a sketch plan wasrequested for St. Peter's Ave and Portney's Lane. The proposals are set out below. They arebased on the Laneways Strategy proposed in the Historic Centre Action Plan, which isreproduced in Appendix 1 and on surveys ofthe lanes in question.

2. St. Peter's AvenueCurrent condition:St. Peter's Avenue is an important east/west link between the Marsh and the commercial coreof the city. I t was identified as a "pedestrian lane" in the Historic Centre Development Plan.It is currently well surfaced. However because of the double curve at its eastern end and thefact that this last part is covered, it is subject to some anti-social activities which causeannoyance for both residents and users.The northside of the lane is a dead edge, flanked by blank walls, and occupied by St. Peter'sChurch (currently being renovated as a Vision Centre under the Urban Pilot Project), theTermon Centre (a shelter for women under threat) and an unused public park (St. Peter'sPark) occupying the site of a former graveyard.The southside of the lane is fronted by six local authority houses (constructed in the early1980's), a carpark and three derelict properties. The car park and two of the derelictproperties are owned by Cork Corporation (see "current condition"map).The lane is relativelywell lit at night but appears to be poorly maintained.

Proposals:Proposals are summarisedon the "St. Peter's Ave - Proposals" map.This Historic Centre Action Plan proposed the rehabilitationof derelict properties in the lane.This sketch plan supports this approach and further suggests that the section of the car parkfronting the lane and in Corporation ownership be also developed. The Corporation arecurrently negotiating with the owner of the remaining property on the southside of the lane toacquire it.This will provide a sizeable redevelopment site on the southside of the lane. The proposed usewould be residential and at least four units could be accommodated, either local authorityhouses or for sale as revolving fund houses. I f the latter occurs owner-occupation for a setperiod of time should be required as a condition of sale.This type of development will provide increased supervision on the lane and should reduceanti-social activities.


3/10

St. Peters Ave I Portneys Lane Sketch Plan -Present Condition

elict Site

lict Housen need of refurbishment)

Vacant Buildingfor saleResidential(occupied)

Car ParkPotential fo r housingCorporationOwnership

..---I..__ ..

'LS\,

LS

- . \Mh\ \ \

\,\\,

.\\\u \ \ \ LS ....\ '.:A- ' H ," \\ ,\ Mh \, . \

, \H\\ LS~ -' \

\- "\ \II..S..A \. \ ,/ ,\ \\Mh \. \

Car Park

'-LS.M h ~ \


4/10

The lane should be provided with improved lighting, especially under the archway leadingfrom North Main Street, and a maintenance schedule. As a major east/west link the closure ofSt. Peter's Avenue by gates is not recommended.

The lane could also be used for access to "over the shop" accommodation in 86 and 87 NorthMain Street, thus facilitating their development. Arranging the necessary way leave may needthe intervention of the Corporation. TIllS type of development will return a residential role toSt. Peter's Avenue which it had previously.In relation to St. Peter 's Church, the Historic Centre Action Plan suggested opening upwindows on the side facing St. Peter's Avenue to provide additional overlooking of the lane.This matter should be referred to the Vision Centre Project Team for consideration.The future of St. Peter's Park need urgent consideration. It is a potentially valuable assetwhich is not being utilised in an area with a large residential population and limitedrecreational space. The Historic Centre Action Plan has a St. Peter's Park Project (page 69)and this should be implemented in the short-term with particular emphasis on a parkmaintenance and supervision programme, and associated improvements to lighting,landscaping and park furniture.


5/10

\

LoU

encaenoa.e0..

.....,;U)


6/10

3. Portney's LaneCurrent Condition:Portney's Lane links North Main Street and Corn Market Street. It was also identified in theHistoric Centre Action Plan as a "pedestrian lane". It is currently well-surfaced. Gates havebeen fitted at the North Main Street end and mid-way along the lane by the Corporation. Theresidents hold keys to these gates.The southside of the lane is mostly a "dead edge" formed by blank walls of the former CityMarket. There is a derelict site at the Corn Market Street end. On the northside are threeoccupied houses, refurbished under a previous revolving fund scheme, two houses owned bythe Corporation in need of refurbishment (with quite attractive features), and another derelictsite at the Corn Market Street end.

There is also a small portion of St. Peter 's Market which fronts onto the lane. This isindicated by a blocked off limestone arch which is mirrored in the opposite side by a similarentrance to the former City Market. Both are attractive features.Lighting is adequate but could be improved. Maintenance of the lane did not appear to beregular.

Proposals:Proposals are summarisedon the "Portney' s Lane - Proposals" map.The two houses in Corporation ownership should be refurbished, in association with anyrepairs required to the existing occupied dwellings. The refurbished houses could then be usedfor social housing or for sale under the revolving fund. This will strengthen supervision of thelane.The vacant sites at each end of the lane on Corn Market Street are on the Derelict SitesRegister. They are unsightly and detract both from Corn Market Street and the definition ofthe entrance to Portney's Lane. These sites should be acquired and a development briefprepared for their development. This could include residential use on the upper floors.Efforts should be made to reopen the entrance to St. Peter' s Market and the former CityMarket. This will bring extra activity to the lane and will enhance the attractive limestonearches which form the entrances. The treatment of the blank: walls facing the lane on the southside should also be improved along with the possible introduction ofwindows.In the Historic Centre Action Plan Laneways Strategy, Portney's Lane was not scheduled forclosure by gates. However as this is now afait accompli, it should be used as a test case tosee how the arrangement works and to monitor public access to the lane. This will helpinform our attitude to treatment of other lanes. As development of Portney's Lane unfolds,the eastern gate shouldbe moved to enclose the new dwellings.


7/10

I....

----------------- ------

- - ------:J en -_.. .---O"Q:')- -

_- 0 ""'-'_-- ---- ( /5-------, - -,, -

sacornoc.ea..Q)c

.sQ)c-eoa..


8/10

.. . ~ . ' . ...

4. Laneways StrategyThe Historic Centre Action Plan Laneways Strategy outlines the treatment which wasconsidered most appropriate to each type of lane. In essence its recommended pedestrianlanes and shared surface lanes should be kept open and the others managed on a morerestricted access basis. Any proposal for dealing with specific lanes should be developedwithin this context.The lanes are essential components in the character of the Historic Centre and require carefulmanagement to retain this role. Proposals for improved maintenance of the public spaces inthe city will contribute to this goal in the short term.


9/10

Appendix 1Historic Centre Action Plan Laneways Strategy


10/10

I . .

62

. , " ,

Chaplar 9. Regenerate the Historic Ports 01the City

LANEWAYS STRATEGYThe historic laneways ofCork play a major role in defining thecharacter oftheHistoric Centre. Many ofthese lanes have falleninto disuse and are currenlly contributing to the environmentalblight inthearea. In ordertoclearly define the public realm andtheresponsibility for themaintenance ofthese lanes the followingstrategy isproposed. Pedestrian LanesThese provide cross block linkages to shoppers and the localcommunity and steps should be undertaken to ensure theirpositive functioning by improving public safety, regular maintenanceand continuous treatment including: Increasing private access off the lane to residential/workplaces aboveshops; Introduction of mid-block courtyards with good privateaccess to provide improved public safety; Signalling of the entrances to the lanes, key changes ofsurfacing, signage and parking restrictions at entrances; Improved surfacing and public lighting along the length of

the lanes; Targeting derelict sites along the lanes to bring these back

into positive use.The following lanes fall into this category: - St. Peter's Avenue isan important cross route linking KyleStreet through to theMarsh Area along St. Peter's ChurchYard. Effort needs tobedirected torehabilitating the derelict

houses along this r o u t ~ and improving public safety byproviding mirrors atthelink in thelane. Further effort shouldbe directed toopening up the windows on the side of thechurch to provide additional overlooking of the lane.

Porlney's Lane links Cornmarket toNorth Main Street. Effortshould be directed towards infilling the vacant sites toprovide additional residential/workplace accommodation.

Co/eman'sLane links North Main Street totheGrattan StreetCar Park. Effort should be directed tocreating an intemalcourt yard in the middle of the block as part of futuredevelopment proposals.

Kift's Lane links GrandParade toSouth Main Street. Effortshould be directed to increasing local access tobuildings offthis street.

Post Office Lane tothesouth ofKift'slaneshould be positivelyincorporated inthefuture redevelopment ofSouthgate Site.

Shared Surface LanesTreatments asperpedestrian lanes buteffort needs tobedirectedto limiting "rat-running" traffic. Surfacing tobe combination ofpaviors and setts within central dished drainage channels introduced. Similar strategies tothelanes offSt. Patrick's Street needto be adopted encouraging more people generating activities,which includes pubs, restaurants, speciality shopping, artsvenues, etc.The following lanes fall into this category:- St. Augustine's $treetwhich links North Main Street toGrandParade, north ofWashington Street. This functions primary

osa service lone although there isfrontage to0 number ofbuildings along the south side. Attempts should bemode inthe potential redevelopment of the Queens Old CostleShopping Centre to increase frontage to this lane.Tobin Street links the top of South Main Street to GrandParade, immediately 10 the south of Washington Street.Enormous potential exists to reinforce Ihe arts and culturalactivities ofthe Triskel Arts Centre with "live" frontages tothestreet. This includes linking the ground floor uses onWashington Street through to Tobin Street in the form ofrestaurants, related shopping, galleries, etc.

Shared Access LanesThis category relates to lanes shared byadjacent landowners toprovide access to the rear of buildings and which do not linkthrough the block. These lones will be vital in resolving thecomplex arrangements toproviding independent access toindependent living and working above theshops. These should bekept in public ownership with mechanisms developed toclarifymaintenance and public safety issues. In ordertoreinforce thehistoric nature ofthese lanes, openwrought iron gates should beencouraged with public lighting provided and the traditionalsigning of these lanes maintained.There are numerous examples ofthese along North Main Street.

Other LanesThe closure of other lanes, in particular those which provideaccess totherearofa single building, and incorporation in thecurtilage of the private site, should be considered. Referenceshould be madein traditional signage totheexistence of a lanein thatlocation. This could take theform ofplates embedded onthefootpath oronthebuildings.

Date post:	07-Apr-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	cork-city-centre
View:	217 times
Download:	0 times

St. Peter's Avenue/Portney's Lane Sketch Plan (1995)

Documents