LDA Completes Land Transfer for Up to 300 New Homes at Monahan Road

The Land Development Agency (LDA) and BnM have completed the transfer of land at Monahan Road in Cork City Docklands with the potential to deliver up to 300 homes, alongside associated commercial uses.

Under the agreement, BnM has transferred ownership of approximately 2.08 hectares (5 acres) of land to the LDA. The two state bodies have worked collaboratively, and in consultation with Cork City Council, over a number of years to bring the project to this key milestone.

The site is well located and will have excellent connectivity to Cork city centre. It sits along the proposed Cork Luas route recently announced by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, with the preferred route including both the Docklands and Páirc Uí Chaoimh Luas stops, both of which are close to the site. The proposed route runs directly in front of Monahan Road.

The land transfer follows positive engagement between the LDA and BnM regarding the site, which was no longer in active use by BnM.

A portion of the site will be used by Cork City Council to accommodate road widening works, to aid connectivity along Monahan Road, with the addition of bus lanes and increased cycle lane provision. Future development on the site will also benefit from views onto, and access to, Marina Park.

The LDA will now appoint a design team to prepare a planning application, which is to be lodged in 2027. Subject to a successful planning application, the Agency will deliver up to 300 new, A-rated affordable homes as it seeks to meet the demand for housing in the area.

The planned development adds to the LDA's ongoing activity in Cork, where close to 1,400 homes are either in planning or already under construction. Also in the Docklands, the LDA has partnered with Glenveagh at Marina Depot, where 337 new homes are under construction across the road from the BnM site. A further 302 apartments are being delivered at Horgan's Quay in partnership with BAM and Clarendon Properties.

The Agency is also on site at the former St Kevin's Hospital site in Shanakiel, where the first of 267 homes will be completed later this year. The LDA has also received planning permission for 345 homes on former ESB lands in Wilton, and for 147 new homes at Anglesea Terrace in Cork City Centre as part of a partnership with Cork City Council.

John Coleman, Chief Executive of the Land Development Agency:

"The completion of this land transfer at Monahan Road is an important milestone in our efforts to unlock well-located state land for the delivery of much-needed housing. This site has the potential to deliver high-quality, sustainable homes in the heart of Cork Docklands, a key growth area for the city. We are pleased to have worked collaboratively with BnM, Cork City Council and other stakeholders to reach this point, and we look forward to progressing a planning application and advancing delivery in due course."

Tom Donnellan, Chief Executive of BnM:

"BnM is supporting Ireland's transition to net zero by delivering renewable energy at scale for businesses nationwide with a development pipeline of 7.5 GW of indigenous sourced, secure energy. As part of our renewed focus, we are pleased to work with the Land Development Agency to deliver a positive outcome for this strategically located site on Monahan Road. We look forward to its transformation into much-needed homes supporting Cork City's growth."

Valerie O'Sullivan, Chief Executive of Cork City Council:

"This is a very welcome step forward for the continued development of Cork Docklands and the delivery of much-needed homes in the city. The Monahan Road site is ideally located, with strong public transport links and excellent amenities, including Marina Park. Cork City Council looks forward to continuing its engagement with the LDA as this project progresses, alongside key infrastructure improvements that will further enhance connectivity in the area."