Cork County Council (CCC) is planning to establish a "cluster" of activities and attractions as part of its vision for Spike Island, a former military and penal site in southern Ireland.

A masterplan design team led by Scott Tallon Walker Architects has been appointed to draw up proposals for the site, which includes landscape strategist Mitchell and Associates.

The initial phase of developing the island will be to increase the number of ferry services in a bid to offer "adequate" access for visitors, while also exploring additional access solutions.

Spike Island itself will benefit from the restoration of buildings and structures that are to then be brought back into use on a phased basis and in keeping with the island's business plan.

The island's fort will house an interpretive experience exploring the site's history, while the Rampart Walk will become an attraction offering views overlooking Cork Harbour.

Meanwhile, the vision for Spike Island also includes the creation of tourist accommodation such as heritage-style dwellings for rental and hostel-style provision.

A CCC spokesperson said: "Working with the strong environmental and historical assets of the island is the underlying theme of the masterplanning approach.

"The Scott Tallon Walker consortium's vision will provide a strategy for the long-term sustainable future of the island, which will sustain people in recreating, living and working on the island thereby creating a vibrant island economy."

Details: www.corkcoco.ie

Image: Port of Cork