24-04-2025
Moira Murrell: County Cork is meeting the challenges of growth head-on
Cork County Council, Ireland's largest local authority by land area and second largest by population, is facing the housing challenges of a growing and diversifying population head-on.
Under the National Planning Framework 2018, the county was earmarked for a population increase of 105,000 by 2040 — equivalent to a 30% rise.
The council is awaiting new guidance which is expected will outline even more ambitious growth targets for Cork. This builds on a trend of consistent population expansion in Cork since the 1990s.
By collaborating with public agencies and private stakeholders, the council is facilitating not just housing delivery but the infrastructure that makes growth viable — jobs, transport, roads, water services, and town regeneration.
At the same time, it is working to protect the natural environment and align development with national housing priorities.
Cork County Council now delivers more new homes annually than any region outside of the greater Dublin area, and its job growth continues to outpace the national average.
Cork County Council is now at the midpoint of the current county development plan, and housing planning permissions are running 12% above target.
However, like other counties, the pace of housing delivery is trailing permissions.
Encouragingly, 2024 marked a turning point when urban housing commencements surged, matching the combined totals of homes completed in urban areas in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
A case in point is Midleton, which accounted for 41% of all urban housing commencements in the county last year. Much of this activity is tied to the Water Rock Urban Expansion Area, a landmark Cork County Council-led interagency project supported by the Government's local infrastructure housing activation fund.
Once complete, Water Rock will deliver 2,500 homes, three schools, a new rail station, parks, and a neighbourhood centre, all integrated into sustainable transport networks.
Water Rock is one of five designated urban expansion areas, alongside Shannonpark in Carrigaline, Carrigtwohill North, Ballynoe in Cobh, and the Monard strategic development zone.
These areas represent the future of housing in Cork and are strategically located, infrastructure-ready, and designed to support complete communities. The council is working towards securing Part 8 approval for critical infrastructure in Carrigtwohill, paving the way for 3,500 new homes served by rail, bus, and greenways.
Since 2017, more than 3,400 new social housing units have been delivered in Cork under the national rebuilding Ireland and housing for all strategies. These homes have been built through a blend of direct construction on council-owned land, turnkey developments, and joint ventures with approved housing bodies.
New social housing schemes have been completed across every major town — from Youghal and Carrigaline to Skibbereen and Mallow — and in many smaller settlements. One example is the Convent Rd scheme in Doneraile, where 17 high-quality homes ranging from one-bedroom to four-bedroom units were built on council-owned land.
Two recent turnkey social developments include Mountain View and Nead Na Lachan — a development of 14 A2-rated houses.
Housing delivery is not just about numbers, it is also about place-making. Cork County Council is aligning new home construction with town centre regeneration.
In Macroom, two long-vacant sites at Sleaveen East are being brought back to life. Eight apartments have already been completed, and work is under way on four townhouses and 12 more apartments. Similar regeneration-led projects are active in Bantry, Charleville, Midleton, and Youghal.
The regeneration of the former Mercy Convent in Bantry is an example of what is possible through partnership. In collaboration with Clúid Housing, 18 homes for older residents were delivered alongside the preservation of the convent's historic chapel. Funded through the Department of Housing's capital assistance scheme, this project is an example of sensitive, inclusive development that meets today's needs while respecting yesterday's heritage.
Beyond new builds, Cork County Council is also making the most of existing stock. In 2024, 864 social tenancies were created across Cork through the refurbishment and re-letting of homes.
Since 2022, 240 affordable homes have been offered for sale in locations such as Carrigaline, Cobh and Mallow.
Of these, 160 have been sold and the remainder are under offer.
Cork County Council aims to considerably accelerate the level of affordable housing provision over the lifetime of the housing for all strategy until 2030.
Energy efficiency is also a key pillar of our housing strategy, and Cork County Council is aiming to retrofit up to 200 houses annually.
Over 400 council-owned dwellings have been retrofitted to achieve a B2 BER in the past two years, cutting energy bills while contributing to Ireland's climate goals.
Under the Croí Cónaithe vacant homes refurbishment grant, homeowners can access up to €70,000 to transform vacant properties into permanent homes. Cork County Council has received more than 1,000 applications, with nearly 800 already approved, a clear sign of community appetite to revive and reuse existing buildings.
Cork County Council recognises that housing is the biggest challenge facing Ireland. The council is committed to driving and supporting housing delivery across a range of measures, working with national Government and local partners to meet the growing demand.
Moira Murrell is the CEO of Cork County Council
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