Cork councillor wants to see northside flats included in regeneration

A city councillor has expressed disappointment that dilapidated, six-decade-old social housing flats have not been included in a major northside regeneration project.

At this week’s meeting of Cork City Council, Michelle Gould, Sinn Féin councillor for the Cork City North-West ward, asked that the authority include the 20 social housing flats on Baker’s Rd in the Cork City North West Quarter Regeneration (CNWQR) project.

“This would include the demolition of the flats and the construction of new homes,” Ms Gould said.

The flats were built in the 1960s and are of the same vintage and design as flats at Noonan’s Rd, St Finbarr’s Rd, Fort St, and Dean St, which the council last year announced it intends to demolish.

Ms Gould said the flats were prone to cold, damp, mould, and serious ongoing health and safety concerns.

In response, Alison O’Rourke, housing directorate director of services, said the Baker’s Road flats were not part of the CNWQR plan.

“The Bakers Rd flat complex does not fall within the regeneration masterplan, but as part of a larger portfolio of flat complexes across the city,” she said.

“Cork City Council is reviewing all such complexes currently with a view to identifying solutions for their longer-term refurbishment and regeneration.

“The Bakers Rd complex is included in this review.”

Ms Gould said tenants were anxious to know when this work would occur.

Ms O’Rourke said she did not have a timeline, but local representatives would be informed as soon as she did.