Tenants of Cork's new inner-city social housing scheme to get keys within weeks

Clúid’s social housing development off Thomas Davis St, Cork, during construction. Picture: Larry Cummins

The first tenants of a new 112-unit inner city social housing scheme, one of the largest in Cork in recent years, and built on the site of former council flats, are set to get the keys within weeks.

The €35m-€40m Green Lane development will be officially opened by Tánaiste Micheál Martin today on the site of the former Blackpool flats, which were demolished in 1999, with the site laying vacant since.

The new scheme, developed and managed by Clúid Housing and its age-friendly arm, Clann Housing, will provide permanent affordable homes for more than 150 people.

It was built on what Clúid described as “a tricky site” just off Thomas Davis St and includes a mix of 76 one-, two-, or three-bed A-rated apartments, and 36 specially designed for older residents across several blocks. It also includes a community space.

The site where the Blackpool flats were demolished in 1999 in Cork. Picture: Denis Minihane

Most of the apartments have already been allocated to individuals and families on Cork City Council’s housing list, including around 10 households currently living in emergency accommodation.

New homes built

The official opening comes a day after CSO figures showed that 32,695 new homes were built in Ireland last year — up 10% on 2022, with more than 10,000 new homes completed between last October and December, up 13% on 2022.

While the Government has welcomed the figures as a sign of progress, opposition parties say the Government's housing targets are too low.

Ahead of the opening of the Green Lane scheme, Micheál Martin said the Government had made housing 'one of our highest priorities'. Picture: Larry Cummins

Speaking ahead of the opening of the Green Lane scheme, Mr Martin said:

The Government has made housing one of our highest priorities and we’ve seen real progress in construction and delivery of new homes since we launched our Housing for All strategy.

“A home is so much more than just a roof over your head — it’s a place where you can make plans, support your family, and create thriving communities.” 

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy, said Blackpool is steeped in history.

“The new development showcases how modern development and regeneration can complement a growing city with public transport links in proximity, pedestrian access to the city centre, and contributing to the community with the inclusion of critically-important Clann scheme units. In a historically-rich area, the significance of cross-generational living becomes even more apparent,” he said. 

Clúid Housing’s chief commercial officer Eibhlin O’Connor praised those involved in the design and construction on the site, including CField Construction, Seán Harrington Architects, John J Casey & Co Chartered Quantity Surveyors, Punch Consulting Engineers, Douglas Carrol Consulting Engineers, and KSN Project Management.

The scheme was built with the support of Cork City Council, the Department of Housing, the Housing Finance Agency, and the Housing Agency.