Plans for new neighbourhood comprising over 100 homes on Cork City's northside lodged with council

Proposed development comprises 53 apartments and 51 houses on a part-brownfield, part-greenfield site at Popes Hill in Blackpool 

A military cemetery borders the northwest side of the site, while Collins Barracks is located on the eastern and south-eastern edge of the site.

Plans for a large-scale residential development spanning more than 100 homes on the northside of Cork City have been submitted to local planners.

Developer Pontorac Limited has lodged plans to demolish a terrace of four homes, three of which are derelict, at Popes Hill, Popes Road in Blackpool and replace them with 104 new residential units.

The subject site, spanning over 2.5 hectares, is part-brownfield and part-greenfield, and is located on elevated land around 400m to the east of Blackpool Village. 

A military cemetery borders the northwest side of the site, while Collins Barracks is located on the eastern and south-eastern edge of the site. Christian Brothers College Sports Complex is located to the south.

The homes would be split between 50 townhouses, one three-bedroom detached bungalow and 53 duplex apartments ranging between two and four stories in height. The apartments would comprise 18 one-bedroom units, six one-bedroom apartments, and 29 three-bedroom apartments.

Meanwhile, the townhouses would consist of three two-bedroom units, 39 three-bedroom units and eight four-bedroom units. 

"The overall development strategy for the site has sought to develop the lands to account for the site’s challenging topography and general east-west axis," the developers said in its planning statement.

It added that several distinctive character areas have been created within the site, including a formal square addressing the adjoining military cemetery, a central village green with landscaped parkland and a grid pattern of formal avenues referencing the military history of the adjoining sites.

The proposed development will also include a ground-floor crèche with a rear garden and front set-down area, 104 car parking spaces, 128 bicycle spaces, internal roads and pathways, private, communal and public open space, including all balconies and terraces, landscaping and boundary treatments.

The homes would be split between 50 townhouses, one three-bedroom detached bungalow and 53 duplex apartments

The developers said the proposal also includes "all necessary internal roads and pathways", including internal traffic calming measures and pedestrian crossings.

"The need for the proposed development is justified on the basis of the urgent requirement for new residential dwellings on appropriately zoned and serviced sites within Cork City," the developers said. 

"The proposed development will contribute to the rejuvenation of this part of the City and deliver a new residential neighbourhood of an appropriate scale that responds to these strategic objectives."

Cork City Council are due to decide on the application by June 17, 2026.

CORK BUSINESS

A collection of the latest business articles and business analysis from Cork.