Cork County Council say they expect the social housing project on Barrack Hill in Fermoy to be completed by early 2017.

Work on the project by contractors MMD Construction Cork Ltd., commenced in January and will see the development of a 10-unit housing block on the site.

The 10 units consist of one three-bed, family type unit, which will be accessed from Shear Street, three one-bed units accessed from Barrack Hill, and six two-bed units accessed from an inner courtyard that leads from Shear Street. The total cost of the project is €1.85 million plus site costs, utility connection fees and technical fees.

Director of Housing Services Maurice Manning, confirmed at this week’s Northern Committee meeting of the council that the project will be finished by ‘early 2017’. Welcoming the progress of the project, Cllr Noel McCarthy told The Avondhu that the project was one of many needed in the area.

“I said at the time construction was starting, that the development was the last piece in the jigsaw for Barrack Hill, because for many years it was just a vacant lot that served nobody. Now that the construction is well underway, you can see how impressive the design is and how is brightens up the area.

“There is a huge need for social housing units in Fermoy, as well as private housing, so this development goes some way towards solving this issue. There is much more needed, but this is a positive project and I look forward to the time when its new residents can move in early next year.”