Sod turned on new affordable housing development in Cork city 

THE sod has been turned on a new affordable housing development in Lehenaghmore on the outskirts of Cork city, which when complete will provide 45 new homes.

Finance Minister Michael McGrath joined the Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Kieran McCarthy and the chief executive of Cork City Council, Ann Doherty, yesterday to turn the sod at the Glenmore Heights development.

The affordable housing scheme, being constructed by OBR Construction in partnership with Cork City Council, will provide new homes for sale via Cork City Council’s ‘local authority affordable purchase’ scheme and consists of a mix of two and three-bedroom houses.

The scheme is due to be advertised for applications in early autumn of this year, with the delivery of new units scheduled for 2025.

Cork City Council said the homes will be made available for sale, circa 20% below open market value, to those who qualify for the Affordable Housing Scheme, with sales prices, in part, subsidised via the Department of Housing’s ‘Affordable Housing Fund’.

Ballincollig scheme

Minister Michael McGrath also visited a further affordable housing scheme of 70 two and three-bedroom homes at Heathfield, Carriginarra, Ballincollig which is currently under construction.

The scheme, which is fully subscribed, is being developed by Murnane & O’Shea Group and the first purchasers are due to receive keys in the coming weeks.

Speaking after the sod turning in Lehenaghmore, the Lord Mayor said he was honoured to have the opportunity to mark the commencement of construction on the new development.

“Hopefully, on completion, these affordable homes will provide a solid foundation for purchasers from which they can contribute to and enhance further, a sustainable and vibrant community in Lehenaghmore,” he said.

“In addition, I was delighted to visit the show-house at Heathfield, Carriginarra, Ballincollig, Cork, a further affordable development providing for 70 two and three-bedroom family homes, where, for Phase 1, keys will soon be in the hands of purchasers.”

The Finance Minister also welcomed the advancement of both projects.

“These two fantastic projects will deliver 115 new affordable homes for people and families in ideal locations for employment and other services,” Mr McGrath said.

“The development of these two projects serves to highlight just what local authorities can achieve in the provision of affordable homes by working closely with the Department of Housing.”

Meanwhile, city council’s chief executive said housing is “at the very forefront of Cork City Council’s objectives and will remain so for the coming years”.

“I would like to acknowledge the efforts of all involved and assure people Cork City Council will continue to lead the way in the delivery of more affordable homes, with several schemes set to launch throughout 2024,” Ms Doherty added.

Government to revise housing targets 

Speaking in relation to the provision of housing earlier on Friday, the Finance Minister said Government will be revising upwards its housing targets “quite significantly over the period ahead”.

“But revising the targets doesn’t in and of itself build any additional homes.

“We have to make sure the funding is there, the planning system is reformed, that we have the labour, that we have enough zoned land, that we are able to service that land and that the private sector makes a contribution in terms of funding and capital as well. We’re working on all of those strands,” he added.

Mr McGrath said he would encourage anyone critical of Government when it comes to housing to “have a look around and see the amount of developments now that are underway” many of which, he said, “would not be happening without the State being centrally involved”.