Six families have got the keys of their new homes on Cork city’s northside.

The newly opened Beara Drive in Knocknaheeny has its first residents, with more expected to move into the new builds throughout different phases of the City Northwest Quarter Regeneration scheme.

47 new homes are set to come on stream, built by Murnane and O’Shea for Cork City Council, they provide 32 houses and 15 apartments.

The residents that have moved into the first six housing units are from Harbour View Road, Knocknaheeny Avenue and Glandore Park.

Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Tony Fitzgerald welcomed the new residents to their homes.

“I’m delighted that the residents and families will receive their new homes under the regeneration scheme.

“It’s a challenging time for the residents because they have been waiting for some time to hear when they would move in, and moving homes is not an easy thing to do, but it's exciting at the same time,” he said.

“The local community is enhanced by a whole new development in the heart of the Knocknaheeny area. Some of the people who will be moving have been in their old homes for the last 40 years. It’s a big challenge for them.

“Once all the homes are occupied, the Council will then move to the next phase of demolishing the homes that these people were in and then start building for the remaining tenants to be accommodated under the scheme,” he added.

Meanwhile, Carbery Grove is to close permanently for through traffic, with a new route for vehicles along the newly constructed Beara Drive. The new area can be accessed on Harbour View Road from the South and Ardmore Ave from the North.

Access to Barnardo’s to Ardmore Avenue West will continue as normal.