The Land Development Agency (LDA) and IDA Ireland have reached an agreement on the transfer of a 41-hectare site at Kilbarry in Cork city, which has the potential to deliver approximately 1,000 homes.

The land being transferred by IDA Ireland forms part of the North Blackpool-Kilbarry Expansion Area, one of the key locations identified to accommodate the growth requirements of Cork city to 2040. 

Enable and deliver property solutions

This greenfield site has historically been earmarked for industrial use by IDA Ireland in line with its core function to enable and deliver property solutions which supports balanced regional development for foreign direct investment (FDI), and indigenous clients of Enterprise Ireland. However, following a review as part of the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028, the site is now zoned for residential use, public open space and has been identified for long-term strategic development.

IDA Ireland facilitated the LDA in identifying the Kilbarry North land as a suitable location for housing development which will complement IDA Ireland’s development lands to the south.

The site lies to the north of Kilbarry enterprise park and adjoins Delany Rovers GAA Club. Blackpool Village and Blackpool shopping centre are located less than 2km away.

The LDA has already appointed a design team for the project and intends to undertake a comprehensive public consultation process on emerging proposals, in advance of any planning application. 

The proposals will also be informed by the emerging framework plan for the area that is being prepared by Cork City Council. The new homes will benefit from planned transformational infrastructure projects including the Cork Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Route, which will traverse the site and Blackpool-Kilbarry Rail Station further to the south, off Dublin Hill.  

The plans will include a range of housing tenures including affordable homes, alongside a mix of other uses and public open space. Subject to the emerging framework plan, a planning application is targeted for 2027. 

The planned development of the site will add to the LDA’s ongoing activity in Cork. The agency is already in the process of delivering 267 homes at the former St Kevin’s hospital site in Shanakiel in Cork city and is developing 302 cost rental apartments at Horgan’s Quay in partnership with BAM and Clarendon Properties.  

The LDA recently received planning permission for 345 homes on former ESB lands in Wilton and lodged a planning application for a further 147 new homes at Anglesea Terrace in Cork city centre as part of a partnership with Cork City Council.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “Delivering 1,000 new homes in Cork city is a significant step forward. It will provide families and individuals with the opportunity to live in modern, sustainable communities close to jobs, schools, and amenities. This will ease housing pressures, support local economic growth and enhance quality of life for people across our city. 

“Addressing Ireland’s housing challenges requires a whole-of-state approach, every agency and stakeholder must work together to ensure everyone has access to a home. So, I commend the collaborative approach taken by the IDA and LDA in reaching this agreement. Their commitment to working together on the transfer of the 41-hectare Kilbarry site is a powerful example of how partnership can drive progress.”
 
Housing minister James Browne said: “This is a hugely positive development and another example of the progress we are making on the delivery of housing throughout the country. The government has provided significant levels of funding to the LDA, so it is in a position to secure and speedily develop large-scale housing projects on sites such as this. We have also ensured state bodies are aware of the need to transfer state-owned land to the LDA and we have supported the Agency in securing a series of sites that are now being advanced for housing. 

“In addition to investing in housing, the government has also committed record levels of funding to infrastructure development and to the provision of utilities to ensure sites, such as this one in Kilbarry, are ready for the development of housing. I would like to thank IDA Ireland for working with the LDA on the transfer of this land and I look forward to construction getting underway in the future, subject to planning.”   

Enterprise minister Peter Burke added: "I welcome the collaboration between the Land Development Agency and IDA Ireland on the transfer of the Kilbarry site in Cork city. This significant step will support the delivery of around 1,000 new homes in a key strategic location for the city’s growth. It demonstrates the government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring balanced regional development and meeting the housing needs of our communities, while making the most of valuable public lands for the benefit of Cork’s future."

John Coleman, chief executive of the LDA said: “This transfer of atate-owned land to the LDA is a significant development for the agency, for Cork and for the country’s urgent housing need. We have secured a well-located 41-hectare site with the potential for 1,000 homes in an area that has been designated for growth and is set to benefit further from major infrastructure projects.

Will include public open space, as well as new amenities

"We have already appointed a design team to develop proposals that will include public open space, as well as new amenities. We intend to consult extensively with stakeholders and the public before submitting a planning application, which we are aiming to have completed by 2027. I would like to thank IDA Ireland for working with us on this land transfer.

"The LDA relies on state bodies to facilitate the transfer of state-owned sites and by engaging with us, agencies like IDA Ireland, are making a significant contribution to ensuring a steady and reliable supply of much-needed new housing and to the LDA’s mission of creating sustainable and thriving new communities.

“The LDA has now secured a number of state-owned sites in Cork for housing including the former St Kevin’s hospital in Shanakiel and land transferred by the ESB in Wilton. We are also advancing similar sites across the country such as Barracksfield West in Naas in Kildare, which was transferred by the Housing Agency, a site in Kinsealy in Dublin, transferred by Teagasc, another in Leopardstown in Dublin 18 transferred by Horse Racing Ireland, and sites in Celbridge in Kildare and in Lissenhall in north Dublin, transferred to the LDA by Nama.”

Michael Lohan, CEO, IDA Ireland said: “We are pleased to have supported the transfer of this site in Kilbarry to the LDA and we are delighted that its potential for housing can now be advanced. The site has been zoned for residential use and has been identified for long-term strategic development.

"It is also due to be served by key infrastructure projects, so there is a compelling case for it to be used for housing. I want to acknowledge the positive engagement between IDA and LDA in bringing this project to fruition and we look forward to future collaboration as IDA Ireland continues to promote the southwest region as a location for economic investment in line with our objective for balanced regional development.”