The trustees of a Catholic church in Cork city have appealed the city council’s decision to refuse it planning permission to build a diocesan pastoral centre on the site with the local authority finding that the proposed development would have an adverse visual impact on the landmark building.
The Cork Diocesan Trustees applied to Cork City Council for permission to build the three storey building with meeting rooms, offices, a large multifunctional hall, and multi-purpose spaces for prayer and reflection within the curtilage of the Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Dennehy’s Cross on the Model Farm Road.
The trustees, acting on behalf of the diocese of Cork and Ross, also sought permission for the removal of the existing landscaped open space and pedestrian entrance/path accessed from Model Farm Road and the redesign of the existing church car park to include a new pedestrian access route, amended car parking layout and landscaping.
The application documents stated that the pastoral centre would accommodate a range of diocesan functions such as education, mission and ministry, youth ministry, safeguarding, communications and general administration, including the bishop’s office and the diocesan secretariat.
However, Cork City Council’s planning department refused permission in July, stating that the proposed development “fails to respect the character and significance of the protected structure and its historic setting by reason of its scale, massing, form and design approach.”
“The proposed development would therefore have an adverse visual impact on the setting of the protected structure, would detract from local views of this landmark structure within the locality and would seriously injure the visual amenities of the area,” it said.
Locals also voiced their opposition to the development. A submission by the Dennehy’s Cross Action Group described the proposed structure as “gross and totally out of character for the area,” comparing it in appearance to a commercial office building.
The group also expressed concerns about the loss of green space and the potential shadowing of their homes during the winter months.
The church trustees have now appealed the city council’s decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála. A decision is due from the appeals board by January 4, 2027.
The Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, commonly known as Dennehy’s Cross Church, is a large brick and limestone neoclassical building with a distinctive dome in the western suburbs of the city. Opened in 1960, it can seat over a thousand people.
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