Castlelake prepares to woo buyers with low prices

WHILE it still hasn’t been confirmed officially, the re-opening of the Midleton to Cork rail line could be announced within the next 10 days, in advance of the local elections.

The Cork County Development plan hinges on the €100 million re-opening of the rail link, a decision which lies with Minster for Transport, Seamus Brennan.

And considering plans for 8,000 new houses over the next 15 years in the East Cork village, the rail link is vital. Without this essential piece of infrastructure, a minimum of 3,000 cars could be turning onto the Midleton Parkway each morning within five years, creating a logistical disaster.

Blarney is the second town, with Carrigtwohill expected to become a centre for high density development when the issue of road and rail links are straightened out.

Carrigtwohill residents have objected strenuously in the past to high density housing in their area because of lack of facilities. Schools are at maximum capacity, they say, Main Street is too narrow and the sewerage and water systems are barely adequate for the present population.

However, despite objections from the Community Council, An Bord Pleanála last year gave the go-ahead for the Castlelake Development whose first phase sold out within 24-hours on the Easter Weekend.

A joint venture between Gable Holdings and Ascon, it comes in after Murnane and O'Shea's Fota Rock scheme, which has upwards of 260 houses with another 250 planned in the newest, Cúil Árd phase.

At Castlelake, there are upwards of 900 houses planned in just one part of an integrated, residential, leisure, retail and commercial scheme. Other developers have options on this whopping tract of land to the north-west of the town.

Here, there will be courtyards, crescents and avenues of houses in a range of styles and sizes, from one-bed apartments to large, detached houses set in a landscaped site.

Part of the reason for the phenomenal success of the first phase is that prices are good and sites are generous, starting at €152,500 for a two-bed apartment with garden and townhouses at €175,000 for a two-bed, double ensuite. In total, 58 houses sold in a day, with another 55 houses expected to be launched in mid-May.

Completion by Christmas is expected for phase one, as the timber frame plan of Castlelake allows for a faster build. Landscaping of the development will include an artificial lake and playing fields and community buildings, which will be taken in charge by the County Council when the scheme is completed.

Castlelake with its 900 units is just one part of an overall scheme, including a park and ride facility for the railway if it comes.