Bid to finally bring empty apartments into use in Cork town

Progress has been made on bringing 20 apartments in Macroom that have lain empty for more than 20 years into use, Cork County Council has confirmed.

The apartments above the Dunnes Stores shop in Macroom opened in 2005 and, though they were built in line with a condition of the planning permission granted to allow the shop near the town centre to be built, they have never been occupied.

Cork County Council has confirmed that a project to bring the apartments, a mix of one- and two-bedroomed units, into use has been formally supported by the authority’s housing directorate, and by the Housing Agency, a government body working with the Department of Housing.

A council spokesperson said that rents have been submitted by the developer and supported by the council’s property section, and that a site visit with the developer and clerk of works occurred on March 24.

SCHEDULE

The developer has now been requested to submit a schedule of works required to bring the apartments into use to Cork County Council for review and approval, and copies of agreements for completion by the developer have been issued.

The council spokesperson said: “The Housing Agency has agreed to support Cork County Council in relation to the completion of the administrative aspect of this proposal due to the large number of units involved. We were advised it will potentially be the highest number of units approved under the national repair and lease scheme.”

Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould, to whom the information was provided, said it is “absolutely shocking that it has taken this long to bring these apartments into use”.

“These have been left vacant in a housing emergency when people in Macroom are crying out for homes,” he said.

“I am glad that Cork County Council have now taken charge of this situation, and we will see these homes returned to use. That has to happen quickly and works must be completed as soon as possible.”