Cork City Council goes to tender for next phase of controversial social housing scheme

The multi-million Cork Northwest Quarter Regeneration project in Knocknaheeny has been beset by contractual disputes.

Phase 2A development of City Northwest Quarter Regeneration at Harbour View Road, Knocknaheeny, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

Cork City Council has gone out to tender for the next phase of a controversial social housing development on the northside, where a previous contractual dispute had seen works grind to a halt for years.

The estimated €23m project for 62 apartments in Knocknaheeny constitutes Phase 3b of the landmark housing plan in the area.

It is part of the multi-million Cork Northwest Quarter Regeneration project, the massive multi-annual and phased regeneration project which began in the Knocknaheeny and Hollyhill area almost a decade ago.

The proposed site for this phase of the development on a site owned by the council is situated off Knocknaheeny Avenue, and is in the vicinity of Fota Lawn, Ardmore Avenue, and Glandore Park.

The proposed development constitutes a mix of 26 two- and three-bed houses, along with 36 apartments.

The request for tender comes a few months after a protracted dispute came to an end concerning 24 homes which began construction five years ago, but were left unfinished.

Work started on Phase 2C in March 2020, but all work ground to a halt a few months later when a dispute arose over elements of the work. The houses were at various stages of completion.

Talks to resolve the problems failed, but the contract provided for a conciliation process.

In May, following a lengthy process, an arbitrator found in favour of the council, which allowed it to terminate its contract with the contractor without additional cost to the taxpayer.

In a statement at the time, the council confirmed that it had “concluded its contractual arrangements” with the contractor, and that its housing delivery and regeneration team will “immediately reset the project to deliver quality homes on the site for the community in a timely manner”.

According to a recent parliamentary answer from Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien, 121 homes have been completed so far as part of the Northwest Quarter Regeneration, with a further 103 units scheduled for completion by the end of year.

He also said he expects further phases, including 3b, to commence construction next year.

“The programme runs until 2027, and it is envisaged that projects will be ongoing until this date,” Mr O’Brien said.

The scheme includes the demolition of more than 200 homes and the construction of almost 400 new homes across a vast 207-acre suburban site, bounded on the west by Harbour View Road, by Kilmore Road to the north, and by Churchfield to the east.