Population of West Cork projected to grow by almost 20% by 2034
Clonakilty has been identified by the local authority as the key driver of population growth in West Cork. Picture Denis Minihane.
The population of West Cork is projected to increase by almost 20% by 2034, according to new Cork County Council forecasts that will help shape future housing and infrastructure plans for the region.
Clonakilty has been identified by the local authority as the key driver of population growth in West Cork and is expected to receive a significant share of future housing investment.
According to the 2022 Census, County Cork had a population of 360,152. That figure is projected to rise to 476,293 by 2034, representing growth of approximately 32%.
The 2022 Census recorded the population of the West Cork region at 65,597, accounting for approximately 18% of the county's total population.
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New figures released by Cork County Council predict the region's population will grow to 78,142 by 2034, an increase of 19%.
The council's West Cork divisional area is extensive and now includes the wider Kinsale and Bandon areas. Its population is currently larger than that of several entire local authority areas, including Carlow, Longford, Leitrim and Monaghan.
Under council plans, the greatest concentration of housebuilding across the county will be in East Cork, along the railway commuter corridor serving Midleton and Carrigtwohill.
In west Cork, Clonakilty has been earmarked as the primary growth town and is projected to reach a population of almost 8,000 by 2034.
Bantry's population is expected to exceed 4,500, while Skibbereen is forecast to grow to more than 4,300 and Dunmanway to more than 2,550.
Bandon's population is projected to increase to 11,854 by 2034, while Kinsale is expected to reach 8,120.
The council plans to build hundreds of homes throughout the region, with the majority located in larger towns and designated for social housing.
However, one development in Kinsale will focus on affordable housing. Most of the 169 units planned for Cammogue, Kinsale, will be affordable homes.
These homes are typically sold at around 25% below the local market rate. The development is expected to provide a significant boost for local buyers, many of whom have struggled to enter the housing market in recent years due to high property prices and competition from purchasers seeking retirement or holiday homes.
The council also plans to address housing demand in smaller settlements, including Castletownbere, which is projected to grow to 1,326 residents, and Schull, which is expected to exceed 1,000 residents at 1,043.
The local authority is currently examining opportunities to develop its own landbanks for housing and is also seeking to acquire suitable land from private owners.
One major challenge that remains unresolved is the condition of the N71, the principal route serving much of west Cork.
Many councillors have argued that the road does not meet the standard expected of a national secondary route.
Meanwhile, progress on proposed bypasses for Bandon and Bantry remains slow.
Route options for the Bantry bypass are still under assessment, and government funding will be required before the project can proceed to the design stage.
A similar situation applies to the proposed western extension of the Bandon bypass, which the council said remains at an early planning and concept stage.
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