Green light for 600 units in city

The decision to grant permission for just over 600 new units in Cork city has been described as very positive.

CEO of Cork Chamber, Conor Healy, was speaking after news emerged that 609 units had been given the go ahead on the former CMP Dairies site on the Kinsale Road.

Mr Healy said: “The delivery of sustainable urban apartment developments is essential to meet demand for housing and to deliver objectives under the National Planning Framework, especially for compact development and densification of Ireland’s cities.

“While planning has been granted for a number of apartment developments across the city, they have not gone ahead,” said Mr Healy.

He added: "The Croí Cónaithe Fund, part of the Housing for All strategy, has gone some way to addressing these challenges, but much much more needs to be done. If Ireland fails to deliver on its housing commitments, with Cork projected to grow rapidly to 2040, we will suffer as a city and lose out to international competitors, who are stepping up and prioritising quality of life as key competitive advantage.”

“There is an opportunity for more joined up thinking and greater collaboration between public and private sector to address the housing needs of our community, and ensure timely delivery of the plans and ambitions that already exist,” he concluded.