Bord Pleanála has granted permission for the restoration and
refurbishment of what is said to be the longest continuous place of
religious worship in Cork City.The permission was granted for work on the Unitarian Church, built in 1717, adjacent to the English Market.
Church leaders have been granted permission to construct an open-air link to the English Market at Princes Street, with a doorway at ground floor level and a bridge and lift connection, at the second floors of both facilities.
A planning appeal was lodged by Iago Food Company — which operates within the market — against permission granted by Cork City Council. The council’s conservation officer had previously said proposals for the church refurbishment were “appropriate and innovative”.
Church leaders had also applied for permission to build a public lecture/event space “for education, presentation and exhibitions” within the building, and a cafe.
Bord Pleanála inspector Brid Maxwell recommended the granting of permission for the redevelopment of the almost 300-year-old building. She added a number of conditions.
She advised that the Unitarian Church could not build its own cafe on the premises unless it applied, in the future, for distinct planning for the proposed facility.
Ms Maxwell said plans for the church’s exhibition area would have to be resubmitted to the planning authority and agreed in writing prior to any commencement of the development.
To ensure there was no damage to the listed building during the work, Ms Maxwell said a qualified conservation expert had to be employed to monitor the project.
Ms Maxwell added that all existing original features, including interior and exterior fittings, joinery, plasterwork, staircases handrails and skirting boards had to be protected.
She also ordered a photographic record be retained of all concealed features or fabric exposed during the work.