Plan for 1,000 homes for IDA land on Cork city's northside

A 41-hectare site on the northside of Cork city is being transferred to the State by the IDA and could provide up to 1,000 new homes.

The land at Kilbarry is being handed over to the Land Development Agency.

However, concerned locals have warned that the plans could destroy the well-known Murphy’s Rock amenity area.

The site is part of the North Blackpool-Kilbarry Expansion Area, one of the key locations identified to accommodate the growth requirements of the city, up to 2040.

The greenfield site has historically been earmarked for industrial use by IDA but, following a review as part of the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028, the site is now zoned for residential use.

The site lies to the north of Kilbarry Enterprise Park and adjoins Delany Rovers GAA Club. Blackpool Village and Blackpool Shopping Centre are less than 2km away.

Public consultation

The Land Development Agency has already appointed a design team for the project and intends to undertake a comprehensive public consultation process on emerging proposals for the site, which will be informed by plans for the area being prepared by Cork City Council.

Any new homes will benefit from planned new projects like the Cork northern distributor route, which will cross the site. They will also be close to the proposed Blackpool-Kilbarry railway station, to be located further to the south, off Dublin Hill.

The plans include a range of housing types, alongside a mix of other uses and public open space with a target of 2027 for the planning application.

Devastated

However, Murphy’s Rock and Bride Valley Support Group chairperson Joan Lewis told The Echo that locals were “devastated” at the news.

Ms Lewis said: “If you put houses on top of Murphy’s Rock, the valley below will be destroyed. Murphy’s Rock was created by the ice age, and down through the years everyone living in the area has protected it. People who have emigrated all over the world are passionate about Murphy’s Rock because they played there during their childhood.

“We can’t believe it. The fields where they’re going to build have streams going down through them, there’s loads of nature we’ve been trying to protect, and they’re going to destroy it.

“We’ve never objected to housing, but it’s the only green area we have, we have no place else to walk around — it would be like if they put houses into Fitzgerald’s Park.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that the delivery of 1,000 new homes in the city would be a “significant step forward”.

He said: “It will provide families and individuals with the opportunity to live in modern, sustainable communities close to jobs, schools, and amenities.”

Enhance

He said the project would ease housing pressures, support local economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for people in the city.

Mr Martin said: “Addressing Ireland’s housing challenges requires a whole-of-State approach, every agency and stakeholder must work together to ensure everyone has access to a home. I commend the collaborative approach taken by the IDA and LDA in reaching this agreement. Their commitment to working together on the transfer of the Kilbarry site is a powerful example of how partnership can drive progress.”

LDA chief executive John Coleman said the authority intends to consult extensively with stakeholders and the public before submitting a planning application: “The LDA relies on state bodies to facilitate the transfer of State-owned sites and by engaging with us, agencies like IDA Ireland, are making a significant contribution to ensuring a steady and reliable supply of much-needed new housing and to the LDA’s mission of creating sustainable and thriving new communities.”