Council to resume house building in Clonakilty

Progress is expected to be made in the coming weeks on a significant housing development in a Cork town that was delayed because progress had to be temporarily halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Construction has resumed on the development of 57 homes on the Fernhill Road in Clonakilty. The houses consist of a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom homes.

The works are expected to be completed at the Beechgrove estate in 2021.

A €12.5 million building contract was signed by Cork County Council with MMD Construction Cork Ltd for the development of the 57 units in October 2019.

Along with the 57 new homes, the development will also see a historic protected structure brought back into use.

The protected structures of the Lower Tawnies Cottage which dates to the late 1800’s and is listed in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, has been incorporated into the housing development.

It is set to be brought back into use as residential units and store rooms. Cork County Council say that due attention has been paid to best conservation practice.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Councillor Mary Linehan Foley welcomed the fact that the development of housing in the Clonakilty area was set to resume.

“This housing project is being brought from detailed design to realisation by a multidisciplinary team led by Cork County Council.

“The development will make available a large number of high-quality, energy efficient homes which will go a long way towards addressing housing needs in the Clonakilty area and I am delighted to see the further progression of this project.” Deputy Chief Executive of Cork County Council, James Fogarty said that the houses would be environmentally friendly.

“This housing development demonstrates best practice in sustainable design and the homes will achieve an A-rating on completion. Using highly energy efficient modern air to water based heating systems provides dual benefits of a reduced carbon footprint and mitigates potential impacts of fuel poverty for future tenants,” he said.

He went on to comment on the number of social housing units to be delivered in county Cork up to next year.

“As a local authority we have responded proactively to the restrictions associated with Covid19 and have maintained our delivery of housing with due care to public health considerations,” he said.

“Cork County Council’s continuing commitment to meeting housing needs through the Social Housing Capital Programme will see over 3,000 social houses provided in the period 2018- 2021 throughout Cork County,” Mr Fogarty added.