Work begins on 550 new homes at major Cork housing scheme
Pictured (L-R) is Fergal Dennehy, Lord Mayor of Cork City, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Michael O’Flynn, Founder and CEO, O’Flynn Group, and Valerie O’Sullivan, CEO of Cork City Council, at the launch of O’Flynn Group’s Dunkettle housing scheme in Co. Cork.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin joined Cork property developer Michael O'Flynn on Monday to officially launch the first phase of the O'Flynn Group's Dunkettle housing scheme.
Comprising 550 new homes on the outskirts of Cork City, the development makes up part of the wider masterplan for the Dunkettle site, which the O'Flynn Group has owned for 23 years.
The first release of homes, comprising 40 units, will be a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom terraced and semi-detached homes, and is already sold out. These first homes will be occupied by early 2027, the O'Flynn Group said.
The group currently has planning permission for the 550 homes along with a crèche and neighbourhood centre. This will be followed by a second phase, comprising an additional 540 units, bringing the total to 1,090 new homes in Dunkettle. Planning for the second phase will be lodged this summer, Mr O'Flynn told the Irish Examiner.
He added that the development will provide much-needed housing on the Dunkettle lands which "have long been identified as a crucial area for the provision of new housing in Cork."
"A key highlight of the masterplan is the inclusion of extensive community open space, designed to promote social interaction and well-being among residents," the O'Flynn Group said.
In addition, a separate planning application on Dunkettle House and grounds will also be lodged by the group, which will seek to refurbish the house, the walled garden and the surrounding area to provide a mix of retail, artisan food, restaurant and other ancillary retail use. It will also include landscape plans for 26 acres of parkland fronting Dunkettle House.
Speaking at the official launch, Taoiseach Micheál Martin told attendees: "This will be a fine housing estate and development. We need schemes of scale. Housing is a number one issue, and Michael has been a very strong advocate for the construction industry.
"Our population has grown quite dramatically. Since 1990, it has increased by 52%. Therefore, we need to provide housing. It is the biggest social issue facing our people. To have proper social cohesion, people need a stake in society. People need houses that they can afford to buy or rent.
"We need to build 50,000 homes per annum. We need housing at scale. We need projects at scale. That's why this scheme is very important.
"I know this site has been around a long time, and it just shows it takes some time because of the infrastructural bottlenecks and things like that. But this is in a key location, in terms of active travel and access. We will work with the city council and county council proactively to drive this agenda."
Mr O'Flynn added: "We bought this site in 2003. I can remember the auction very well. It is quite extraordinary how long it has taken to get to where we are now. But the new accelerated task force and what the Taoiseach is doing is great and very much needed.
He noted that the Government's First Home Scheme was being availed of by 25% of Dunkettle buyers, with 75% opting into the Help To Buy scheme.
"These two initiatives have been extended and have been the subject of much comment, but these buyers would not be here without them."
"Sites like Dunkettle are of key strategic importance to ensure that Cork continues to deliver on ambitious housing targets. This has been achieved through detailed collaboration between all key stakeholders, in particular with Cork City Council. We look forward to delivering quality homes and creating a vibrant community in Dunkettle over the coming years”.
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