'Minor works' begin at Cork docklands housing development site
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Developers with planning for 1,000 apartments in Cork’s docklands have begun initial site works on a scheme which has been hailed as a potential catalyst for the multi-billion regeneration of the city’s docklands region.
But the owners of the former Ford distribution site, which has hosted the annual Live at the Marquee summer concert series for almost 20 years, remain tight-lipped on a construction start date for what could become the first residential scheme in the south docks, and the largest private apartment scheme in the city.
Glenveagh, through Marina Quarter Ltd, secured planning in 2021 for 1,002 apartments on the site off Centre Park Road, and close to Marina Park and Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
In an update in late 2021, the company said that given the scale and size of the project, it needed to complete significant works before commenting publicly on the scheme. Last August, it said it had nothing to add to its previous update.
But in response to queries from the , the company has confirmed that minor works are now underway on the site.
“We are currently engaging in minor enabling works to enhance the security of this site and to ensure we remain compliant with our health and safety obligations,” a spokesman said.
The on-site activity has fuelled hopes that construction work on the apartments may be about to start soon. This scheme alone accounts for almost half of the estimated 2,000 apartment units which have been granted planning in Cork City, but which have yet to start construction.
It is understood that Glenveagh has been in talks with the Land Development Agency on the possibility of delivering an element of social and affordable units as part of the first phases of development.
The company did not deal with any specific questions about construction timelines, or on whether Government schemes like Croí Conaithe have helped, insisting that it had no further comment to make on any aspect of scheme.
But it is also understood that Live at the Marquee concert promoters, Aiken Promotions, have been exploring potential alternative venues in the south docks. The promoters have yet to respond to a request for comment.
An Bord Pleanála granted planning to Glenveagh in April 2021 through the strategic housing development (SHD) process for the 1,002 apartment scheme which was valued at the time at some €450m.
The board went beyond its own inspector’s recommendation of a seven-year planning and granted an extended 10-year planning permission given the significant external infrastructural works programme for the wider docklands area planned to be delivered by the city council and other State agencies, including the Monahan Road Extension project along one flank of the site.
It also ruled that the proposal was of “strategic and national importance” having regard to its SHD status and its potential to increase the supply of housing.
The apartments have been designed in 12 buildings, ranging in height from four to 14 storeys, to be delivered in phases across three podium levels over a decade.
The developers plan to deliver the apartments in stages, with podium one in the first phase which could take three and a half years to develop, followed by phase two, would will take another three-and-a-half years to deliver, followed by the final phase to be complete by year 10.
The former Ford distribution site was once the focus of Howard Holdings’ ambitious €1bn Atlantic Quarter project which secured planning in 2008 for 575 apartments, offices, and an events and conference centre.
The scheme was one of many which fell by the wayside during the economic crash and Howard Holdings ultimately collapsed.
The site was sold by Nama for more than €15m in late 2018 following a sale process which attracted significant interest given its potential to transform the city’s docklands.