Proposed marina tramples on community amenities

Private Developers Annex Public Shorein Unspoilt Cork Village

The scenic village of Courtmacsherry has escaped the excesses of the celtic tiger. Now a group of private developers are seeking to impose a vastly overscaled marina on the only piece of open water in the village without community consent. A group of local people is resisiting however.

Five or six local businessmen including a company director associated with a failed
marina in Co Cavan, are working hard to convince the local authority that Courtmacsherry, Co Cork needs a new marina. Citing dubious claims to increased business potential, the developers are trying to get private access to the public foreshore, for a private development, for their own profit.

Local people feel too intimidated of causing a community rift to admit their concerns publicly. The developers are clearly rattled - a small article in the Irish examiner of Jan 31st which laid out a sample of the community's concerns, resulted in all copies of the paper available in the village being bought up by 1 person.

The development covers an area of 9-10 acres of former foreshore /open water and would accommodate 200 berths and provide parking for 100 cars as well as a new facilities building. It is locate din the only place in teh village where the public road adjoins the water-and a place whose view gives the pretty village its very character.

The important question here is how can a public good become private property, for private profit- without community consent. ?

Isn't there a democratic deficit here ?.

For the full story visit www.courtmacsherryvillage.com.