Over €300 Million Secured for Two Major Housing Projects in Cork

More than €300 million in government funding has been approved to advance two significant social housing projects in Cork City. These developments will collectively provide over 820 social and cost-rental apartments on prominent vacant sites, with one project featuring what will become Ireland’s tallest building.

The funding, confirmed by the Department of Local Government, supports both the Railyard Gardens residential scheme and the Creamfields development. The Railyard Gardens project is located at the site of the former Sextant pub, positioned strategically at the entrance to the city’s south docks. The Creamfields project is situated on the former CMP Dairies site along the Tramore Road.

Details of the Railyard Gardens and Creamfields Projects

The Railyard Gardens scheme will consist of 217 units, including 99 social and 118 cost-rental apartments, within a 24-storey residential tower. This tower will set a new height record in Ireland. Planning was secured from Cork City Council in October 2024, and JCD Developments will deliver the project for Clúid Housing. Enabling works are anticipated to begin in September, with a construction timeline of at least two years.

In contrast, the Creamfields development aims to deliver 606 units, comprising 225 social and 381 cost-rental apartments. This project, which received planning approval from the former An Bord Pleanála in June 2022, is positioned opposite Musgrave Park and near the South Ring Road and Tramore Valley Park. It marks a significant collaboration for Cork City Council’s housing directorate and will be executed by Cairn Homes Plc for Respond Housing and Dairygold. Enabling works at this site are already underway, with the project expected to take up to three years for completion.

Challenges Over the Years and Future Expectations

The former Sextant site has remained vacant since the demolition of the landmark pub nearly five years ago. Initially, JCD Developments had proposed a 200-unit build-to-rent apartment scheme, but this was abandoned due to financial challenges. The plan shifted to an office project, which was granted approval in March 2022 but ultimately did not progress. The recent changes in government housing policy have made the residential scheme viable once again.

The Railyard Gardens design features a slender tower that tapers down to 12 floors and then to nine floors. A designated area on the ground floor will be available for use by the local community and the arts, reflecting a commitment to integrating social and cultural spaces within the development.

Cork City Council’s assistant chief executive, Brian Geaney, expressed optimism regarding the funding approval. He described the Railyard Gardens scheme as “a game changer” for the city’s central area. He emphasized the project’s potential to provide essential housing for a young workforce while being conveniently located near major transport hubs. Geaney stated, “Our collaborations with Clúid Housing and the pioneering investment by JCD Developments have been instrumental in modernising Cork, and this project sets a new benchmark for city centre living in the gateway to the Docklands.”

Regarding the Creamfields scheme, he acknowledged the project’s “scale and ambition” and its potential to significantly influence the housing landscape in Cork. With these ambitious projects underway, the city is taking crucial steps toward addressing the pressing need for affordable housing.