23 years since they first bought the site, the O’Flynn Group have finally begun work on the new residential development in Dunkettle on the outskirts of Cork city.
Launched in late April, the housing scheme has already sold out of its first round of 40 new homes. This release included 2, 3 and 4-bed terraced and semi-detached houses. The first overall development phase will eventually include 550 residential homes, a creche, and a neighbourhood centre.
Michael O’Flynn, chairman and chief executive of the group behind the project, anticipates that ‘when the application for phase two has been submitted, the overall scheme will provide in excess of 1,000 residential units as well as a range of commercial, retail and childcare offerings’. Indeed, the development group are expected to apply for planning permission for a further 540 units later this Summer.
A separate planning application for the eighteenth-century manor Dunkettle House and its grounds, will also be lodged. The group will seek to refurbish the building, its walled gardens, and the surrounding area for a mix of retail, dining, and ancillary uses. This project will also include the 26 acres of parkland in front of the manor.
HOUSING – ‘BIGGEST SOCIAL ISSUE’
At a sod-turning ceremony on Monday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin emphasised the importance of such extensive projects.
“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 out 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,” he said.
Mr O’Flynn added that 25% of Dunkettle buyers availed of the Government’s First Home Scheme, while another 75% opted 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.”
It is expected that the first houses in this development will be occupied by 2027.
