Green light for 147 cost rental apartments in Cork city centre

Cork City Council has approved Part 8 planning permission for 147 cost rental and social apartments in the city centre that will be delivered by the Land Development Agency (LDA) in partnership with the local authority.

Varying in height from four to 16 storeys at its tallest point, the development will complement the nearby Elysian building, and will be accessed by Old Station Rd and Anglesea Tce.

The Anglesea Tce development comprises the demolition of all existing structures, including four buildings and some boundary walls, and the removal of a car park.

It will incorporate a mix of 72 one-bed and 75 two-bed apartments, and three retail/office units, including a café/restaurant.

The apartment block will include communal open space including an external courtyard, a linear western park, and a rooftop terrace on the seventh floor.

Also included in the development are upgrade works to the footpath at Old Station Rd, an eastern pedestrian link including a new footpath along the South Link Rd, a set down delivery area at Anglesea Terrace and bike spaces.

There were 15 submissions/observations received by the council in response to the plans, with some people noting there was no car parking and arguing that this places pressure on surrounding residential areas.

The council said the development has been designed to promote walking, cycling, and public transport with a strong emphasis on pedestrian priority, safety and permeability, and having regard to the proposed BusConnects sustainable transport corridor proposed nearby.

A council spokesperson said: 

“The development’s zero parking approach aligns with national guidance in the sustainable urban housing: design standards for new apartments (2025) and the Cork city development plan 2022-2028, which emphasise compact growth in highly accessible central locations.”

Several submissions in favour of the development were made, with some saying the building could be taller given its proximity to the Elysian.

On completion of the ongoing detailed design process, the project will then move to tender stage, with works targeted to begin in 2027, delivering the first homes in 2030.

The assistant chief executive of Cork City Council, Brian Geaney, said: “The proposed development will greatly improve the provision of secure, high-quality cost rental and social housing in Cork city.”

The director of development at the LDA, Phelim O’Neill said they worked carefully on the design for the site before putting forward a “strong set of plans for a high-quality development”.

“We are pleased that planning has been approved and we are now looking forward to getting construction underway,” Mr O’Neill said.

“Anglesea Tce is a fantastic site with great potential. When realised, this underutilised brownfield site will become high quality affordable housing that can act as a catalyst for rejuvenation in the local community and create positive societal impact for Cork city.”