350 affordable homes planned for Wilton

Draft plans for the development of 350 affordable homes in a Cork city suburb were published today, Thursday.

The homes are set to be built on a site recently acquired by the Land Development Agency (LDA) in Wilton with an aim to deliver the first homes by late 2028.

The proposed development will include 154 one-bed apartments, 180 two-bed apartments, and 16 three-bed townhouses, as well as a creche, landscaped open spaces, and new pedestrian and cycle greenway links.

The homes will be a mix of cost rental and affordable purchase, the latter delivered through the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme.

Located about 4km from Cork city centre, the new homes will be served by numerous transport links and are in close proximity to Wilton Shopping Centre, CUH, and MTU, as well as several schools, shops, and other local services.

A planning application will be submitted in early 2025, and subject to planning approval, construction could start in early 2026.

Commenting on the publishing of the draft plans, the LDA’s Head of Property, Phelim O’Neill said connectivity, sustainability, and affordability will be at the core of the development.

He said: “The LDA is acutely aware of the importance of meaningful community engagement and wants to ensure that local people have an opportunity to meet with us and contribute to the design process to deliver a housing development that caters for families, first time buyers, and older people in a key Cork suburb.”

The LDA is encouraging local residents, businesses, and community groups to contribute to this initial consultation process, to help inform and shape the proposals.

As part of this process, a development brochure has been created outlining the initial design plan.

A public drop-in clinic will also be held this Tuesday from 2-7pm in the SMA Wilton Parish Community Centre, Sarsfield Road, Wilton.

Communication channels including a dedicated email address, wilton@lda.ie, are now active. Information on the development is available at lda.ie/projects/wilton.