Minister turns the sod on €200m northside regeneration project

Construction work on the first phase of a decade-long housing regeneration project on Cork’s northside is poised to begin.

It has emerged that there is already a growing demand for homes in the Knocknaheeny area even before a brick has been laid.

Housing minister Jan O’Sullivan said the demand was proof the €200m Cork North West Quarter Regeneration Plan will build a sustainable community where people will want to raise a family.

“Coming from Limerick, I’m very conscious of the importance of regeneration projects in lifting a whole area,” she said.

Speaking as she turned the sod on the first phase of the overall regeneration scheme on the Kilmore Rd in Knocknaheeny, she said: “People want to live here now, people feel part of the community and want to have their homes here. That is a sign that regeneration is working.”

The masterplan, which was developed by the Housing Agency and adopted by Cork City Council in November 2011, provides for the demolition of 430 housing units in the area, and the construction of 630 mixed tenure units and the development of a range of new social and community facilities and infrastructure.

Deermount Construction have been appointed as main contractor for Phase 1A, which will see the construction of 23 three-bed houses between Kilmore Rd Lower and Killiney Heights — a phase expected to be completed by September 2015.

The total cost of this element is expected to be €4.3m and funding has been secured from the Department of Environment, Community, and Local Government as part of its long- term commitment to the overall regeneration.

Lord Mayor Catherine Clancy paid tribute to residents — who have been decanted and relocated in recent months to facilitate the demolition of the old houses — and to council officials involved in the process so far.

“The real mark of this scheme’s success is that this part of Knocknaheeny is now one of the areas on our housing list where we have a demand for second generation residents to come back here,” said Ms Clancy.

“They were born here and raised here and this part of Knocknaheeny is now seen as one of the main housing quarters in the city where people want to be rehoused.”

Ms O’Sullivan described it as a great day for the community.

“My department is firmly committed to the successful regeneration of the Cork North West Quarter and has made a substantial investment to the masterplan for the regeneration of the area, which I believe will revive communities, create employment opportunities for local people, and improve housing stock,” she said.

This is the second regeneration plan for Knocknaheeny.

The original plan, which was prepared by Wain Moorhead Architects, saw over €60m invested in the area by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government between 1997 and 2012.