Carrigaline is now a ‘priority location’ for Uisce Éireann investment

Carrigaline is one of a number of key “strategic growth areas” across Cork identified by Uisce Éireann as being “priority locations for investment”.

According to the 2022 census, Carrigaline, one of the largest towns in the county, had a population of 18,239, a 2.5% increase from the 2016 census.

The population is set to grow even further, with a number of residential developments either given approval or in the planning stage in the town and its wider hinterlands.

Most recently, planning permission has been granted for the final phase of the Janeville residential development in Carrigaline that will ultimately deliver close to 1,000 homes.

Last month Cork County Council adopted a variation to the county development plan 2022-2028 that will facilitate the delivery of at least 38,370 homes over the next decade, with capacity for as many as 50,000.

The move will see a further 770 hectares zoned for residential development, more than doubling the amount of land available for housing and significantly expanding the county’s development pipeline.

Under the newly approved plan, half of all additional land zoned for housing is located within the county’s metropolitan area, including key commuter towns such as Carrigaline. The areas for future population growth were identified from data derived from a variety of factors including employment, infrastructure and transport requirements.

The recent GeoDirectory Commercial Buildings Report underscored Carrigaline’s reputation as one of Cork’s most dynamic business towns.

It showed that the town had 307 occupied commercial units, recording the lowest commercial vacancy rate, at 5.1%, of the 80 towns and urban areas analysed.

This was considerably lower than the national commercial vacancy rate of 14.5%, and that of the wider Cork area which stood at 12.5%.

Carrigaline is one of 72 cities, towns, and urban area across Ireland identified by Uisce Éireann as priority locations for investment to help unlock new homes and support growing communities.

A spokesperson said that these locations will benefit from a €2bn Government funding programme announced as part of the National Development Plan.

“The 72 communities were identified through a detailed review of national, regional and local development plans, focusing on locations where significant growth is planned and where investment can help unlock housing, support sustainable development and deliver the greatest benefit for communities,” said the spokesperson.

“By sharing this information with local authorities, housing and planning bodies, and industry stakeholders, we are helping to provide greater certainty around where strategic water and wastewater investment can support housing and growing communities.”