Door now open for 1,000 new houses

Up to 1,000 new houses could be set to be developed on a greenfield site in the north of Cork city.

The 41 hectare site at Kilbarry forms part of the North Blackpool-Kilbarry Expansion Area and is one of the locations identified under the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 to accommodate the growth requirements of Cork city to 2040.

The site lies to the north of Kilbarry Enterprise Park and adjoins Delaney Rovers GAA Club. Blackpool Village and Blackpool Shopping Centre are located less than 2km away.

A design team has been appointed by the Land Development Agency (LDA) and intends to start a “comprehensive public consultation” in advance of any planning application.

Chief Executive of the LDA John Coleman said the LDA “relies on state bodies to facilitate the transfer of state-owned sites and by engaging with us, agencies like IDA Ireland are making a significant contribution to ensuring a steady and reliable supply of much-needed new housing and to the LDA’s mission of creating sustainable and thriving new communities”.

“We have already appointed a design team to develop proposals that will include public open space, as well as new amenities. We intend to consult extensively with stakeholders and the public before submitting a planning application, which we are aiming to have completed by 2027."

The site in question was initially earmarked for industrial use by IDA Ireland, but was re-zoned for residential use as part of a review under the Cork City Development Plan.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the delivery of 1,000 new home would be a “significant step forward”.

“It will provide families and individuals with the opportunity to live in modern, sustainable communities close to jobs, schools, and amenities. This will ease housing pressures, support local economic growth and enhance quality of life for people across our city,” he said.

Proposals emerging from the public consultation will also be informed by the Framework Plan for the area that is currently being prepared by Cork City Council. The development will be serviced by planned infrastructure projects including the Cork Norther Distributor Multi-Modal Route. This will traverse the site and Blackpool-Kilbarry Rail Station further to the south, off Dublin Hill.

The plans will include a range of housing tenures, alongside a mix of other uses and public open space. A planning application is being targeted for 2027, but this is subject to the emerging Framework Plan.

The transfer of land fit for housing developments to the LDA is a priority for the Government, according to Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne.

“The Government has provided significant levels of funding to the LDA, so it is in a position to secure and speedily develop large-scale housing projects on sites such as this. We have also ensured state bodies are aware of the need to transfer state-owned land to the LDA and we have supported the Agency in securing a series of sites that are now being advanced for housing,” he said.

The LDA is already in the process of developing several sites around Cork.

There are 267 homes being developed at the former St Kevin’s Hospital site in Shanakiel and is also developing 302 cost-rental apartments at Horgan’s Quay, with BAM and Clarendon Properties.

It recently received planning permission for 345 homes on former ESB lands in Wilton and lodged an application for a further 147 homes at Anglesea Terrace as part of a partnership with Cork City Council.

Michael Lohan, CEO, IDA Ireland said: “We are pleased to have supported the transfer of this site in Kilbarry to the LDA and we are delighted that its potential for housing can now be advanced. The site has been zoned for residential use and has been identified for long-term strategic development. It is also due to be served by key infrastructure projects, so there is a compelling case for it to be used for housing. I want to acknowledge the positive engagement between IDA and LDA in bringing this project to fruition and we look forward to future collaboration as IDA Ireland continues to promote the South West region as a location for economic investment in line with our objective for balanced regional development.”

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.