Project begins after many false starts
Building of a major housing project on one of Cork’s oldest streets has finally started, three years after getting the green light.
Work on a large derelict and unused site on Barrack Street, comprising land at the former Nancy Spains and Quinnryan properties on its eastern side, is due to commence with demolition and screening to be the first visible signs of action before the end of December
Former lord mayor Mick Finn welcomed the news, adding that it will continue to revitalise a street that means so much to locals.
He said: “The Part 8 planning process for this goes back to 2017, and despite many false starts, I am heartened to hear this project will take off in a couple of weeks. Other projects that were given the go ahead by council at the same time, such as White Street and High Street, have been completed and almost allocated, so there is an element of catch-up to this one which will yield 32 new houses to the area.”
The Independent councillor continued: “My understanding is that the assemblage of the site on Barrack Street was complicated by several factors which have taken this long to resolve. The developer passed away, there were other legal issues with ownership of pockets of the site and other factors such as probate which had stalled progress on this much-needed housing development but which have now been resolved.”
Cllr Finn also said the development will serve to further boost Barrack Street and will hopefully also act as an incentive to those sitting on derelict or unused properties to get on with bringing them back to use.
“Several premises have been redeveloped already and the local pubs, shops and cafes are among the city’s finest. Add in the attraction of Elizabeth Fort and the street’s position as a go-to location in itself, as well as being gateway to other sites in the area, and you begin to see its huge potential along the historic spine of Cork. Of course, the construction of the event centre nearby on the former Beamish & Crawford site would be the icing on the cake in terms of the pace of development and improvement, but we continue to await news of that,” he added.
Cllr Finn pointed out that Barrack Street is home to an existing residential community as well as eclectic mix of businesses and said that the new housing units must fit in with the current mix.
“Barrack Street is unique in many ways with a long history and anything that the council does must serve to enhance existing communities. I believe this housing project will do just that…exciting times ahead for Barracka,” he added.