Cork City Council Hails Landmark Day for Social Housing Delivery
Today is a landmark day for housing delivery in Cork city with the sod turned on two transformative social housing projects that will deliver more than 800 new social or affordable homes.
The Railyard Apartments scheme in the city centre will deliver the 217-units and will include Ireland’s tallest residential building.
The Creamfields development on the old Kinsale Road will deliver 606-units, is Respond’s largest development in Cork to date, and will be one of the largest mixed-tenure housing developments to be built in the city for a number of years.
Cork City Council, which worked with various partners to help deliver both schemes, warmly welcomes the sod turning on both sites by Taoiseach Micheál Martin. It is actively engaged either directly or indirectly in the construction of or planning for 3,500 social or affordable homes at sites across the city, representing an investment of some €1.2bn.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Fergal Dennehy, said: “Today marks an important milestone for Cork as the sod is turned on these two major social housing schemes.
“These projects, supported by Cork City Council, are about more than bricks and mortar.
“They are about providing secure, high-quality homes for families who need them most, and it’s about regeneration.
“The Railyard Apartments development will not only provide much-needed housing but will also contribute to the regeneration of the Docklands and to the vibrancy of the city centre.
“The Creamfields development will transform a brownfield site into a vibrant new community.
“I am proud to see Cork showing leadership and vision when it comes to social housing delivery, and building at scale to deliver sustainable housing solutions that will make a real difference in people’s lives for generations to come.”
Valerie O'Sullivan, the Chief Executive of Cork City Council said: "The sod-turning ceremonies mark a significant milestone for Cork city centre and for social housing delivery in the city.
"The Railyard apartments, including what will become Ireland's tallest residential building, shows what can be achieved when ambitious and dynamic local authorities work in partnership with equally ambitious partners.
"It will provide high-quality social homes alongside new social and cultural spaces at the gateway to the city's Docklands, and all within walking distance of the city centre's many attractions.
"The residents who will live here will, in just a few short months, bring new life, vibrancy and energy to the city centre.
“And the Creamfields scheme will transform a large brownfield site into a new suburban neighbourhood with high-quality homes alongside new social and cultural spaces.”
Brian Geaney, the Assistant Chief Executive of Cork City Council, said the Railyard Apartments scheme on Albert Quay is the result of a collaborative partnership between Cork City Council, Clúid and the JCD Group.
“It was procured through Cork City Council’s award-winning Competitive Dialogue process and was granted Part 8 planning approval by the elected members of council,” the Assistant Chief Executive said.
“We are delighted to see the sod turning ceremony here, and at the Creamfields scheme, and we look forward to the schemes progressing.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin praised the City Council for its partnership approach.
“The delivery of new homes continues to be an absolute priority of government this year and in the years ahead,” the Taoiseach said.
James Browne, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, said: “Under our ambitious Housing Action Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, we have committed to building 300,000 new homes by 2030.
“Large, mixed‑tenure developments like these two in Cork City, supported by multi-million euro investment from my Department are essential to meeting that goal.
“But it’s not just about numbers; it’s about creating secure, affordable and permanent homes where people can put down roots and thrive.
“By working closely with the Approved Housing Bodies, local authorities and the construction sector, we are turning ambitious projects like this into reality.”
Located on the former Carey's Tool Hire and Sextant site, the Railyard scheme will deliver 217 new homes in Cork’s Docklands by the end of 2027 - a mix of studios, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, including:
- 118 Cost Rental homes, with rents at least 25% below the market average (more details below);
- 77 ‘general needs’ social homes;
- 22 age-friendly social homes for individuals and families on Cork City Council’s housing list;
- and an area on the ground floor to be used by Cork City Council for docklands and community use.
The development will feature the tallest residential building in Ireland, standing 85.35 metres high, with a landmark, slender 25 storey tower, stepping down to 12 storeys and then nine storeys.
The development also involves permitted renovation and upgrade works to the listed terminus building and Carey House located to the rear of the site, which will be completed in parallel with the apartments and retained by JCD, and which will consist of a new bar/restaurant in the former terminus building, a new publicly accessible plaza and the refurbishment of the former Carey House building.
The Railyard scheme has been designed by award-winning architects Henry J Lyons with input from specialist tall building architect Richard Coleman of London-based City Designer.
PJ Hegarty are the main contractors on the project and have been on site for several months carrying out site clearance, road realignment and piling works.
The Creamfields scheme, on the old Kinsale Road, is being developed by Respond in partnership with Cork City Council, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Finance Agency and The Housing Agency, with construction led by Cairn Homes.
It is Respond’s largest development in Cork to date, it is one of the largest mixed-tenure housing developments to be built in the city for a number of years, and it will transform the former CMP dairy site into a new urban precinct, providing 606 new homes, as follows:
- 225 Social homes;
- 381 Cost Rental homes;
- As well as residential courtyards, parkland, commercial units and a town square addressed by a 15-storey landmark residential tower
The homes will be delivered in four phases, with the first phase due to be completed by quarter two 2028 providing 112 homes, with phases two, three and four delivering 268, 167 and 59 homes respectively.
Once fully complete, the development with consist of 558 apartments and 48 duplex houses.
The social homes will be assigned to tenants from Cork City Council’s housing waiting list upon completion, while the Cost Rental homes will be allocated by lottery, at rental rates at least 25% below local market rates.
The site has remained largely idle since the dairy closed in 2006, although it has been used occasionally to host a temporary funfair.
Cork City Council rezoned the site in 2019 from “light industrial” to “residential, local services and institutional uses” which has facilitated this major development.
What is Cost Rental housing?
Cost Rental is a new, secure form of rental housing tenure in Ireland, designed for people whose income means they don’t qualify for social housing or other support, such as HAP, but who still struggle to rent on the open market. All Cost Rental homes have their rents set at a minimum level of 25% below the local market rents. The rents in Cost Rental homes are set to cover the cost of construction, maintenance, and operation of the development, ensuring long-term affordability for residents.
To be eligible to rent one of these new Cost Rental homes, applicants must be able to prove:
- Their net household income is below €59,000 (€66,000 for homes in Dublin) per year
- They are not receiving any social housing supports, such as HAP or Rent Supplement
- They can afford the rent
- They don’t own a property
- The household is the correct size for the home
- All members of the household are resident in Ireland at the time of application