Former Suttons site on Cork's southside to make way for homes, cycle and bus lanes

A Bord na Móna site in Cork docklands with potential for 300 affordable homes has been transferred to the Land Development Agency (LDA) as residential development gathers pace in an area pivotal to the city’s future growth.

The five-acre (2.08ha) Monahan Rd site, known locally as Suttons Coals, is situated between the recently proposed Docklands and Páirc Uí Chaoimh Luas stops and is directly across the road from the former Live at the Marquee venue, where the LDA is partnering with developer/builder Glenveagh Properties Plc on the delivery of 337 apartments at Marina Depot.

The planned development of the former coalyard will add to the LDA’s ongoing activity in Cork, where already close to 1,400 homes are either in planning or already under construction. The transfer of the Suttons Coals site to the agency follows lengthy engagement with both Bord na Móna and Cork City Council. 

The LDA identified the site back in 2022 in its first report on relevant public land that could potentially be used for housing. The report pinned the indicative yield at 170 to 220 homes at the time and estimated the cost of development and infrastructure would be around €52.75m.

LDA chief executive John Coleman said the completion of the Monahan Rd land transfer “is an important milestone in our efforts to unlock well-located state land for the delivery of much-needed housing”.

Tom Donnellan, Bord na Móna chief executive, said it was “pleased to work with the LDA to deliver a positive outcome” for the strategically located site, adding: “We look forward to its transformation into much-needed homes supporting Cork city’s growth.”

The LDA would not be drawn on the level of compensation paid to Bord na Móna for the Monahan Rd site other than to confirm that Tailte Éireann, the property registration authority, had carried out an evaluation and a fee was subsequently paid. The LDA said a portion of the land will be utilised by the council “to accommodate road widening works, to aid connectivity along Monahan Rd with the addition of bus lanes and increased cycle lane provision”.

The council’s chief executive, Valerie O’Sullivan, said the site transfer was “a very welcome step forward for the continued development of Cork Docklands and the delivery of much-needed homes in the city”.

The next step in the process will be the appointment by the LDA of a design team to prepare a planning application for the Monahan Rd project.