City’s northside regeneration ‘must continue’

THERE were calls last night for continued Government investment in the regeneration of Cork’s northside as one of the most ambitious phases of a housing project costing €120 million was officially opened.

Housing Minister Michael Finneran opened Block D of the Knocknaheeny Regeneration Plan – which includes a €9m community complex and a new town centre.

Local resident and Fianna Fáil Cllr Tony Fitzgerald described it as a milestone in the community’s history.

However, the event was marred somewhat by a small group of protesters, including Worker’s Party Cllr Ted Tynan. He accused city officials of removing barriers from boarded-up vacant houses in the area, ahead of the minister’s visit, a claim rejected by city officials.

Mr Fitzgerald accused Mr Tynan of “bullyboy tactics”. “Older people were frightened by him. It was shameful,” he said.

Mr Fitzgerald added: “Today is a great day for the northside.”

“I am delighted that the Government has responded and I look forward to further investment in the area despite the constraints on funding at the moment.”

The Department of the Environment, through Cork City Council, has invested over €60m in improving and upgrading the existing housing stock in the Hollyhill and Knocknaheeny areas, as well as the construction of dozens of new infill homes, since the masterplan for the area was adopted around 1997. It was planned and funded before and during the Celtic Tiger boom. But there are now fears the economic crisis will threaten future works.

Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central, Bernard Allen, said the Government must continue to make funding available for the regeneration to continue.

“There are thousands of families living in accommodation that is badly in need of updating and improvement. I am calling on Cork City Council to continue to lobby strongly for funding,”

The new town centre in Block D houses the city council’s new area housing office, We the People, the Citizens Advice Bureau, NICHE, the Local Employment Service and St Vincent De Paul amongst other agencies. It also has a senior citizens’ facility, a large medical practice, a credit union, and a primary health care centre, which is due to open in a few weeks.

This phase has also seen the regeneration of 78 houses, and the development of 21 infill houses.

The Hollyhill and Knocknaheeny areas, which were developed in the early 1970s, now have a significant population over the age of 55.

The new town centre has incorporated 21 sheltered housing units, which allows tenants to downsize, while allowing them to remain in their community with all local services nearby.

The minister was joined by Lord Mayor, Cllr Michael O’Connell, later to turn the sod at the Glen Phase II regeneration project on Glen Avenue where there are plans to develop 59 new houses, and a community facility next to St Brendan’s Church.

The first phase of the Glen regeneration saw over 84 homes upgraded and 80 new homes provided at a cost of €26.5m.

The €10m refurbishment project at Cushing Road and Cushing Place was also launched yesterday. John F Supple Ltd rejuvenated five flat complexes which had fallen into serious disrepair.