LDA and ESB agree transfer of site in Cork earmarked for major housing development 

ESB and the Land Development Agency (LDA) have reached an agreement on the transfer of a greenfield site in Wilton earmarked for the development of hundreds of new homes.

The land being transferred by ESB is located at the energy utility’s Sarsfield Road site in Wilton.

The LDA said it has already appointed a design team for the project and is expecting to make a planning application for about 350 new homes in Q1 of next year.

These proposed homes, the LDA said, will include a mix of affordable for sale houses and cost rental apartments.

Subject to planning approval, the agency said construction could start in early 2026, with the first homes being delivered in late 2028.

The land involved is a 2.7 hectare greenfield site located next to Wilton Shopping Centre and near existing residential neighbourhoods including Cardinal Court and Wilton Court.

The planned development of the site will add to the LDA’s ongoing activity in Cork.

The agency is already in the process of delivering 267 homes at the former St Kevin’s Hospital site in Shanakiel and is developing 302 cost rental apartments at Horgan’s Quay in partnership with BAM and Clarendon Properties.

“This is another positive development for the LDA as the agency continues to ramp up the delivery of affordable new homes,” chief executive of the LDA, John Coleman, said.

“We are already under construction at two locations in Cork and we look forward to work starting on this well-located site.

“This planned development will have the potential to provide much-needed housing and new facilities in a desirable area alongside established communities and close to a range of existing amenities and services.

“The LDA is actively working with state bodies to access state-owned land that has the potential to deliver thousands of homes.

“I would like to thank the ESB for making this land available and working closely with us to conclude its transfer.

“There is an opportunity for state bodies to create a lasting legacy by making land available and that is certainly true in this instance.” 

ESB chief executive, Paddy Hayes, said the site “will make an important contribution to the development of much needed housing”.

“We would like to thank the LDA for working with us and we look forward to seeing construction get underway on what promises to be an excellent development,” he added.

As part of the planning process for the land, the LDA said it intends to undertake extensive public consultation and will publish framework and vision documents to facilitate this process ahead of any planning application being made.