Cork councillors frustrated at lack of Government investment to develop 1,370 homes in Cobh

Cork County Council said the masterplan for opening up the Ballynoe area was being hampered by the lack of investment in proper roads to serve it, with the lack of an upgraded main road into Cobh bypassing the archaic and flood-prone Belvelly Bridge being a major part of the problem. Picture: Hendrick Verwey

In spite of the housing crisis, Cork County Council has been unable to secure Government funding to progress the building of nearly 1,370 homes on a site in Cobh.

The council has tried unsuccessfully on two occasions to get central Government funding to improve infrastructure in the area, which would allow it to develop a 72-hectare site at Ballynoe, to the north of the town.

Council planners have for some time identified it as a "key site" capable of delivering a minimum of 1,366 units, along with the necessary recreational and amenity space for their occupants.

The lack of Government support for the project came to light after Cobh-based Labour councillor Cathal Rasmussen asked about progress on a masterplan for the site, which was initially flagged by the council 10 years ago.

Kevin Morey, the council divisional manager responsible for the area, said the masterplan for opening up the area was being hampered by the lack of investment in proper roads to serve it, with the lack of an upgraded main road into Cobh bypassing the archaic and flood-prone Belvelly Bridge being a major part of the problem.

This recently led An Bord Pleanála to refuse planning permission for a new industry which wanted to locate at the former IFI site close by.

Road network at capacity

In addition, Mr Morey said the existing local road network serving Ballynoe was at capacity.

He said the council had sought funding from Government departments for some local road upgrades to facilitate the Ballynoe housing project back in 2017, but it was unsuccessful.

Another negative response from the Government came in 2020 to progress infrastructure development to open up the site.

The council has identified the project as a key component of its County Development Plan.

Mr Morey said the development of the site would require “multi-annual funding support, and engagement with other State agencies and Government departments to deliver other associated and required infrastructure investment” for it to proceed.

Mr Rasmussen said he could not understand why in the middle of a housing crisis the Government would not finance the necessary infrastructure to open up the site, “especially as it's Government policy to open up as much State-owned land as possible for such badly-needed projects".

He said there was a huge demand for housing in Cobh, and “the people are demanding it".

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This was reiterated by Independent councillor Ger Curley, while Fianna Fáil councillor Sheila O’Callaghan described it as “highly disappointing” the plans had not progressed.

“We really need to get the ball rolling on this,” added Fianna Fáil councillor Dominic Finn, while Fine Gael councillor Anthony Barry also expressed concerns about the delay on rolling out urgently needed housing on a prime piece of land.

Mr Morey said significant investment was required to open up the Ballynoe site and other areas in Cobh for more housing, along with industrial and commercial development, and it would require money from the Government to achieve the council’s aims.

He said this would need to include the Belvelly Bridge upgrade, better water services and more train stations in Cobh, especially servicing the Ballynoe area.

Mr Morey added while the council was knocked back on previous funding requests, it planned to engage on an ongoing basis with relevant Government departments in the hope of finally getting its "masterplan" for the Ballynoe site over the line.