Cork Metropolitan Area Retail Outlet Centre Study

Client: Cork County Council
Duration: December 2018 to August 2021 (comprising Study Phases 1 and 2)

Project Summary

Transport Insights, in partnership with MacCabe Durney Barnes Planning Consultants, was commissioned in December 2018 to undertake a study to determine the need for and impact of a potential retail outlet centre within the Cork Metropolitan Area.

In undertaking the study, Transport Insights undertook a detailed catchment analysis using Census 2016 and forecast 2040 population data from the National Transport Authority’s Regional Modelling System (NTA RMS), the outputs of which informed the need for and feasibility of advancing the potential development. Additionally, a bespoke demand and assignment model was developed to determine traffic impacts on the strategic road network of potential locations for the proposed development. Early stakeholder engagement with National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland assisted in identifying traffic and transport constraints underpinning the study.

In late-2020, a second phase of the study was commissioned, within which a more detailed Traffic and Transport Assessment (TTA) of potential site locations along the N25 corridor was completed, with the findings informing the identification of a preferred site location.

Added Value Brought to Project

The study, including catchment, accessibility, traffic impact and multi-criteria analysis (MCA) undertaken by Transport Insights, has provided Cork County Council with a robust evidence base for decision making in relation to the suitability, preferred location and traffic and transport impacts of a potential retail outlet centre within the Cork Metropolitan Area. A site has subsequently been zoned by Cork County Council to accommodate delivery of a potential retail outlet centre development.

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