Land blocks on offer

ZONED development landbanks assembled by the Fleming Group over the past decade is coming up for sale in Blarney, Mallow and Clonakilty — and some may sell for little over farm value, and quite possibly to previous farmer owners of the lands.

Biggest of all is the 178 acre landbank at Stoneview, Blarney, which was part of an ambitious, local authority-led plan for a new town of 2,500 homes north west of Cork city, near Blarney.

Assembling land here were ‘the three Johns,’ John Fleming, John Coleman of Coleman Brothers, and John Bowen, who had land by the Blarney Business Park.

Now, all three Johns are in financial difficulties, leaving question marks over Stoneview’s viability as an entity or grand plan, while Cork County Council recently moved to refresh its plans for up to 5,000 new homes and a new town for 12,500 people nearby at Monard.

Both Monard and Stoneview would be served by a rail link back to Cork city, along the Cork-Dublin line.

Now, as John Fleming’s Fleming Group’s 178 acre N20 portion of Stoneview comes up for sale, agents Peter O’Flynn and Seamus Costello of DTZ Sherry FitzGerald sensibly describe the land as “high quality land holding with zoning, currently in agricultural use, with long-term development potential.

They note the proximity to Cork City, and the joint Cork City and County local authorities wish to see development in this NW city quadrant under the CASP plan.

The land’s agricultural use includes pasture and tillage. Guide price is €3m to €4m, or c €16 to 22,000 an acre. Currently there’s planning on a portion for 411 homes, subject to conditions.

Meanwhile, in Clonakilty, DTZ jointly with Sherry FitzGerald O’Neill have 37 acres for receivers PwC, with a further adjoining 11 acres for separate receivers Baker Tilly.

Well set, and zoned, the lands are on the south western border of Clon town, near the Department of the Marine and the Quality Hotel/cineplex complex. The 37 acres are guided at c €20,000-30,000 per acre, or €900,000 to €1.2m, while the additional 10.8 acres being disposed of for Baker Tilly is guided at €250-€300,000. It’s all zoned for low medium density development and has planning for 50 homes.

And, in Mallow, DTZ are selling almost 16 acres at Upper Lackanahoola just north of the town, which is in one block and could suit for farming, low density development or a handful of sites. Joint agents are Sherry FitzGerald O’Donovan, and price guide is €350-€500,000.

Details: DTZ Sherry FitzGerald 021-4275454