New affordable housing in Bantry

Applications for a new affordable housing development in Cork county will open in less than two weeks.

The 12 A-rated family homes are in at An Cnocan, Milleencoola, situated a short distance from Bantry village.

Constructed by Remcoll Developments Ltd, the houses will generally be available for first-time buyers who do not own a home, although a small number of exceptions apply, and Fresh Start Applicants.

The houses will be available from €235,000 which represents a reduction of approximately 17.5% from market value, Cork County Council said as it invited prospective homeowners to apply for the new three bed houses from 12noon on Monday 25 November.

Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Joe Carroll said: “Cork County Council is delighted to announce the launch of this Affordable Housing Scheme in Bantry. The development at An Cnocan will not only bring much needed housing to the area at accessible prices but will also enrich the lives of those who will call it home. The houses are in a fabulous location, are well designed and finished to a very high standard.”

Through the scheme, purchasers will enter an affordable dwelling purchase arrangement with Cork County Council.

Under this arrangement, the council will retain a percentage equity share in the dwelling, equal to the difference between the market value of the dwelling and the price paid by the purchaser, expressed as a percentage of the market value of the dwelling (minimum of 5%).

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell said: “The Affordable Purchase Scheme is an important part of Cork County Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan to provide new homes in areas with the greatest housing need. To date more than 200 houses have been made available under the affordable scheme, in eight developments located in eight different towns in county Cork.”

Applications for the scheme will be accepted via the online application portal at corkcoco.ie.