Tendering process for work on 24 houses on Cork's northside to be treated with 'utmost priority'

CORK City Council has said the tendering process for work on 24 houses in Knocknaheeny, part of a major regeneration project stalled for four years, “will be treated with the utmost priority”.

Work on the 24 houses, which are located on Kilmore Rd close to the water tower, had begun in March 2020 under Phase 2c of the Cork City Northwest Quarter Regeneration programme, but had stalled in what was described by the council as a “complex contractual dispute”.

In an announcement on Tuesday, the council said it had “concluded its contractual arrangements with the initial building contractor” and would “immediately reset the project”.

The council said it was making immediate arrangements to secure the site and to undertake any urgent or necessary works.

Asked by The Echo about the timeline for the completion of the tendering process to appoint a new contractor, a council spokesperson said: “The tendering process will be treated with the utmost priority, with the scope of tender to be determined by our onsite surveys and works detailing, which is commencing immediately.

“Cork City Council will therefore have a timeline for the procurement process in the coming weeks, subject to completion of all necessary surveys.”

Fianna Fáil councillor Tony Fitzgerald said he welcomed the news that the long-running dispute had been settled.

“I want to thank city council officials for their professionalism during this dispute, and look forward to construction recommencing in a timely manner, as soon as possible,” he said.

Sinn Féin councillor Mick Nugent said he welcomed the council saying it would make completing the tendering process a priority, and was hopeful that work could begin as soon as possible to complete the 24 houses in Phase 2c.

“My expectation is that there will be a new contractor on site as soon as possible, and the work finished out and people moved in,” said Mr Nugent.

Sinn Féin councillor Kenneth Collins claimed that it was only thanks to constant pressing from his party in the council and in the Dáil that the local authority had been moved to resolve the matter.

Socialist Party councillor Brian McCarthy said the dispute had proven the need for a dedicated construction department working under the aegis of Cork City Council.

The programme’s masterplan was adopted by the council in November 201, and involves the demolition of over 450 houses and the design and construction of 650 new homes.

In the Dáil last week, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien told Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould that, to date, 121 houses have been completed under the programme.

Mr O’Brien added that a further 103 are scheduled for completion under Phase 1c and Phase 2b by the end of this year.