Cork City Council seeking suitable land for zoning to accelerate housing delivery

Cork City Council is seeking suggestions from landowners, homebuilders, and interested parties for lands suitable for residential zoning in order to accelerate housing delivery.

Ministerial guidelines on National Planning Framework (NPF) Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements were published on July 29, with the aim of updating development plans to support accelerated housing delivery.

The guidelines seek an additional provision of residential-zoned land, where it can be justified, to be reflected in development plans.

In response, Cork City Council has invited the public, landowners, homebuilders, and other interested parties to put forward suggestions for lands suitable for zoning for residential purposes.

Proposals

The council is seeking proposals for lands or sites within its administrative area that are serviced, or due to be serviced, or serviceable within the next five-year period, and are located in areas that have good availability and proximity to public transport, or contribute to sustainable compact growth and the principles of the 15-minute city initiative.

Sites or lands in areas where a level of demand exists, which support the development of infill housing, or housing on brownfield land or address vacancy and dereliction in areas with good social infrastructure and capacity in schools and community facilities, and do not have significant challenges or impediments to the development of housing are also welcomed.

No Guarantee

There is no guarantee that any land included in submissions made in response to this consultation will be zoned for residential purposes.

Lands can only be zoned by way of a formal process to make or vary a development plan.

Any lands that are considered suitable for zoning may come forward as part of a formal variation of the Cork city development plan later in 2025 or in early 2026.

Submissions, including supporting information, will be accepted until Monday, November 10, through the council’s website.