Simon Coveney talks up towns’ part to play in housing provision and services

Cork’s main towns such as Carrigaline, Fermoy, Mallow, and Midleton will play an important part of the rebalancing of housing provision and services, according to Housing Minister Simon Coveney.

Speaking at the refurbished Carrigaline offices of auctioneering firm Sherry FitzGerald O’Donovan, Mr Coveney said Carrigaline was the fourth fastest-growing Irish town.

Metropolitan Cork, of which it is part, “will have a major role to play within the new national planning framework, which will be the new keystone of our planning system” he said, commenting on plans to fast track schemes in excess of 100 houses straight to a beefed-up An Bord Pleanála.