Altough it is some way off - having been delayed by the recession - a project planned for Cork's docklands could provide a fillip for job creation and give the belaured construction industry a major boost at the same time.

Planning permission has been sought for a major development in the Cork docklands with the promoter claiming could create up to 5,000 jobs.

Businessman Gerry Wycherley told the Irish Times that the decision to apply for planning permission to develop the 24-acre site at the Marina Commercial Park had been taken in preparation for an improvement in the market over the next five to 10 years.

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Obtaining planning permission would mean the project would be ready to start once the market improved.

Mr Wycherley said the 2.5 million sq ft development would include 880 apartments along 350m (1,150ft) of quay front, providing accommodation for 2,230 people.

It would also include some 750,000sq ft of office space, some 200,000sq ft for business and technology use, just under 200,000sq ft for retail and almost 150,000sq ft for commercial use with retail and commercial located off Centre Park Road.

"Obviously, at the moment, the residential market has bombed so we won't start building the residential part of the project until there is a clear demand and we can move units.

"But I'm confident that the market will pick up. The demographics are good in that regard," Mr Wycherley said.

(BMcC)