147 Cost Rental and Social Apartments Approved for Cork City Centre

Cork City Council has granted planning permission for 147 new cost rental and social apartments in the city centre, to be delivered by the Land Development Agency in partnership with the local authority at Anglesea Terrace.

City councillors approved Part 8 planning permission for the development at the February meeting of Cork City Council on Monday.

The scheme will be built at the junction of Old Station Road and the South Link Road, within walking distance of Kent Station, Cork Bus Station, and all city centre amenities.

The development will range from four to 16 storeys at its tallest point and will complement the nearby Elysian building. Access will be via Old Station Road and Anglesea Terrace.

The project requires demolition of all existing structures on the site, including four buildings, boundary walls and an existing car park, to make way for 147 apartments comprising 72 one-bed units and 75 two-bed units.

The scheme also includes 242 square metres of retail space, featuring one café or restaurant and two office or retail units.

Residents will have access to communal open space including an external courtyard and a gated linear western park with controlled access. The development includes footpath upgrades at Old Station Road, a new pedestrian link along the South Link Road, and a set-down delivery area at Anglesea Terrace.

The development has been designed as a car-free scheme in accordance with national and local policy, including Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments (2025), which supports the removal of private car parking in large-scale residential developments in highly accessible urban areas.

There will be no resident vehicular access, parking or car entrances. Primary pedestrian and cyclist access, including the main entrance and bicycle parking, will be provided from Old Station Road.

Future occupants will be informed from the outset that no parking is available, with the layout prioritising walking, cycling and public transport through extensive secure bicycle parking and strong pedestrian connections.

Following completion of the detailed design process, the project will move to tender stage, with works targeted to begin in 2027 and first homes delivered in 2030.

This marks the latest progress in the Land Development Agency's ongoing work in Cork. The agency is set to deliver the first of 267 homes at the former St Kevin's Hospital site in Shanakiel later this year and received planning for 345 homes at a former ESB site in Wilton in August 2025.

The LDA is also developing 302 apartments at Horgan's Quay in partnership with HQ Developments Residential Company Ltd and 337 apartments at Marina Depot with Glenveagh Properties. The agency has recently agreed the transfer of IDA land in Kilbarry with potential to deliver 1,000 homes.

Brian Geaney, Assistant Chief Executive of Cork City Council, said the development will provide much-needed homes and help address pent-up demand for housing in Cork City.

"The proposed development will greatly improve the provision of secure, high-quality cost rental and social housing in Cork City, in full alignment with the Cork City Development Plan 2022–2028 and national housing policy objectives under Housing for All," Mr Geaney said.

Phelim O'Neill, Director of Development at the Land Development Agency, said this is great news for the LDA and for Cork.

"We worked carefully on the design for this site before putting forward a strong set of plans for a high-quality development. We are pleased that planning has been approved and we are now looking forward to getting construction underway.

We are delighted to be partnering with Cork City Council to deliver much needed affordable housing in the heart of Cork City. Anglesea Terrace is a fantastic site with great potential. When realised, this underutilised brownfield site will become high quality affordable housing that can act as a catalyst for rejuvenation in the local community and create positive societal impact for Cork City."