West Cork’s largest ever home build approved for Clonakilty town

C €100m development of 246 homes off Clonakilty's bypass road approved under Large-Scale Residential Development (LRD) process

The new site for 246 homes (inc 177 houses, and 60 apts plus sheltered accommodation units) on the coastal side of Clonakilty/N71, near the Sruthán Beag development of 99 houses which is now almost completed by HB Clogheen Developments

A conditional planning grant in Clonakilty for West Cork’s largest ever house development, potentially worth over €100m, has been signalled under the large-scale residential development (LRD) process this week.

Approval was indicated by Cork County Council on November 24 for a scheme of 246 homes, some 177 houses, 60 apartments, creche, and 12 sheltered accommodation units, to include 50 social housing units to developers HB Clogheen Developments, headed by local landowner Herbert Buttimer and long-established builder Michael Dempsey of Dempsey Construction.

Mr Dempsey’s first Clonakilty development was Redwood Park in 1995, followed by the likes of Lady’s Cross and An Sruthán Beag, the latter a just-concluding development of 99 homes with HB Clogheen Developments.

Homes at The Miles, left, and Sruthán Beag. The new site is across the road beyond the farm house and yard/buildings

The last new three-bed semis at Sruthán Beag have been selling for up to €420,000, according to estate agent Martin Kelleher.

Access to the new 246-unit LRD scheme is by the Park Hotel on the bypass, and at Lady’s Cross.

The application included a natura impact statement and an environmental impact assessment report, and the conditional grant came after consultations with local residents’ associations.

The proposal is for 19 acres/eight hectares.

This 12 acre sale at The Miles made €4.75 million via Hodnett Forde during summer 2025, sold to a Dublin buyer

Nearby, a €4.75m land sale of a different 12 acres with full planning for 92 homes and permission sought for a further 20 units concluded in summer 2025 to a Dublin-based buyer who said he will engage with local builders to start delivery from 2026 at the location between The Miles and Sruthán Beag’s 14 acres.

Also helping with house availability in coastal Clonakilty was the 50-unit social housing scheme Páirc Thiar on the Western Rd, completed in 2022.

Meanwhile, the creche now fully built at Sruthán Beag is expected to go to market to locate buyers/operators in coming weeks, says local auctioneer Martin Kelleher.

Details: Martin Kelleher — 023 8859111