The Irish Times

Plans for a €300 million project incorporating a new city library for Cork have been strongly criticised by the Department of the Environment on the grounds that the plan fails to take account of the rich archaeological heritage of the area. The department has written to Cork City Council outlining its opposition to the proposal by Frinilla Developments for a site on the Grand Parade which includes taking over the existing 25,000 sq ft library and replacing it with a 50,000-plus sq ft building. The proposed new library is part of a development by Frinilla which also includes 160,000 sq ft of offices, 100,000 sq ft of shopping, basement car parking and overhead apartments on a half-hectare site. A planning decision on the scheme is due next month.