Council plans to block a Cork development have been appealed.

Fermoy council refused to pass plans for a multi-million euro scheme at a former timber yard site.

However, an appeal has since been lodged with An Bord Pleanala against the decision.

Developers Spinning Wheel had proposed to build a mixed-use scheme on the site facing Fermoy town hall, encompassing office, residential and retail space.

Approval for the development was rejected last month. The local authority claimed its scale, layout and design were contrary to planning guidelines, and that the eventual scheme would impact adversely on existing protected structures.

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Spinning Wheel Developments has sought to overturn this ruling, with the appeals board set to decide on the future of the investment by October.

The original planning application was lodged last summer, however a failure by the developer to provide information requested by the council resulted in the local authority assuming it had been shelved.

When a for sale sign was erected on the site at the end of 2008, council officials were content the development would not go ahead.

It was only in April this year that further information on the scheme was disclosed, however plans were turned down the following month.

Tadgh O'Donovan, lately mayor of Fermoy, supported the firm's decision to appeal the planning decision.

"We have seen three major developments shot down in the town over the past couple of years. As far as I am concerned the planners have stuck two fingers up to the people of Fermoy who want to see new development come to the town," said Mr O'Donovan.

"They seem determined to send out the message to potential developers that Fermoy is closed for business," he added.

No public comment has of yet been issued on the behalf of Spinning Wheel Developments.

(PR/JM)