Plans for ambitious housing project comprising 450 homes lodged with Cork County Council

Large-scale residential scheme would comprise 219 homes and 233 apartment units at Water-Rock, Midleton

The plans follow on from a €12m project to unlock land at Water-Rock, which was completed in 2024. 

Plans for an ambitious housing project spanning more than 450 homes have been lodged with Cork County Council. 

Developer Sean Walsh has outlined plans for a large-scale residential development at Water-Rock in Midleton, which he said would be delivered on a phased basis. 

The proposed project consists of 452 homes, supported by resident amenity facilities, a single-story creche and all ancillary site development works. 

The lodged plans comprise 219 two-storey houses, made up of 17 detached units, 120 semi-detached units and 82 three-bed terraced units. 

These would be accompanied by 233 apartment units, 99 of which would be duplex/own door, spread across a mix of three-, two- and one-bedroom units. 

These would be located across 20 three-storey blocks, with the remaining 134 apartments spread across four blocks ranging from three- to five storeys in height. 

An aerial photo of Water Rock in East Cork

The proposal also includes two communal rooms across two apartment blocks, outdoor amenity areas including a linear park along the Glounamuck Stream, landscaping, and ancillary infrastructure development works in the form of wastewater infrastructure, surface water attenuation, water utility services, public lighting, car parking, bicycle stores, solar panels, plant rooms, ESB substations, and all associated site development works.

The plans follow on from a  €12m project to unlock land with capacity for 2,500 new homes at Water-Rock, which was completed in 2024. 

Urban expansion zones

One of five major urban expansion zones in Cork county, Water-Rock has been zoned to provide a mixed-use development, to be delivered in three phases, to eventually include 2,500 residential units, three schools, a neighbourhood centre, a railway station and parks. 

Vehicular access to the development would be provided via two entrances off Water-rock Road (L3618) and one entrance off the Water-Rock Urban Expansion Area Service Corridor Link Road (L3822-5). 

The proposal includes pedestrian and cycling paths and access points, and makes provision for the delivery of part of the Carrigtwohill to Midleton Inter-Urban Cycleway.

Cork County Council are due to decide on the residential scheme by May 26, 2026.