Major development of 350 affordable, social, and cost-rental homes in Cork gets go-ahead

New housing scheme on State-owned land is planned on former ESB lands in Wilton

Chief executive of the ESB Paddy Hayes, and chief executive of the Land Development Agency John Coleman, at the ESB’s Wilton site, which will be transferred to the LDA, with 350 new homes planned. Picture: Darragh Kane

A major new development for nearly 350 affordable, social, and cost-rental homes on State-owned lands in Cork has received a green light from City Hall.

Following on from its previous approval for a significant development at the former St Kevin’s Hospital on the north side of the River Lee, this new housing scheme from the Land Development Agency (LDA) is planned on former ESB lands in Wilton, to the south-west of Cork City.

The body tasked with acquiring and developing State land to deliver affordable homes had sought a seven-year planning permission for the Wilton development that would include 296 cost-rental apartments, 16 two-storey affordable townhouses, and 36 social housing apartments.

In a report lodged on behalf of the LDA as part of its application, it was predicted the cost-rental homes included as part of this development would have significant interest.

“Looking at additional cost rental schemes nationwide, it is evident that there is a strong demand for this product when it becomes available,” it said.

“It has been reported recently that Cluid received more than 11,000 applications for their cost rental schemes last year, with more than 3,000 applications for 230 apartments at Airton Plaza in Tallaght.

It is evident from these statistics that the demand for cost rental units continues to outstrip supply, with significant delivery in the main cities required to satisfy the demand.

The report for the LDA also pointed out a lack of accommodation available to rent in Cork. At the time it was compiled in January, there were 63 units available to rent in Cork City, with 38 in the city centre.

Six were apartments, highlighting the “urgent need for apartment delivery in the city centre”, it said.

The LDA has previously said construction could start in early 2026, with the first homes being delivered in late 2028, pending planning approval.

However, it sought planning permission for seven years as it was "necessary to accommodate the scale and complexity of the large residential development".

Cork City Council has granted conditional planning permission for the development, with more than 50 conditions attached.

According to a recent LDA report, there is potential for up to 13,810 new homes to be delivered on State-owned lands in Cork.

This includes sites in the North Docks, Tivoli Industrial Estate, and the former Cork Prison.