Council’s housing projects to get back up and running again

Housing developments are to progress across the region as updates were offered in the Quarterly Housing Report issued at this month’s Northern Committee meeting.

According to Director of Housing, Maurice Manning, works at the Crann Ard housing development in Fermoy should soon recommence. While four of the units are already complete, Mr Manning noted that the remaining 52 units will be delivered in ‘phases’.

“We are hoping to be back on site shortly,” Mr Manning noted.

The turnkey scheme for Glanworth is to commence in Q3 of 2021 also. While in Mitchelstown, the turnkey scheme planned at Brigown is to be delivered in two phases, with the closing date for tender submissions for this project highlighted as the third week in July.

UPLANDS

Local councillor Noel McCarthy sought an update regarding the housing development at Uplands in Fermoy, where issues with the Blackwater Special Area of Conservation and the presence of Freshwater Pearl Mussell had called a halt to developments.

“We have the land and everything is there. It is my intention to see this project completed and up and running. This is a very welcome project,” Cllr McCarthy said.

Director of Housing Maurice Manning responded to the Fermoy councillor, stating that the council are hoping to progress the first phase of the Uplands development, consisting of 11 houses.

“We would hope to commence the Part 8 process there before the end of the year and hopefully get on site at some point in 2022,” Mr Manning added.

KILWORTH

A motion tabled by local councillor, William O’Leary, requested an update on the progress at Pound Lane in Kilworth.

In response, Mr Manning noted that the original lowest contractor has subsequently withdrawn from the tender process and had contacted the council in March, before signing contracts. The contractor had withdrawn as ‘there has been a considerable construction inflation ranging from 5% to 15% in the cost of building materials,’ according to the response.

The council then moved on to the second-lowest tender, who too subsequently withdrew from the process, advising: “since the tender submittal, there have been considerable increases in materials as a result of Brexit and international demand”.

Now, the council has moved on to the third-lowest contractor.

“The council has now moved on to the third-lowest contractor. A revised Stage 4 submission was made to the DHLGH (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage) and the council has been informed that a decision should be pending week commencing June 21, 2021.

“When at hand, Cork County Council will proceed as expeditiously as possible to push the project forward with an estimated site start in Q4,” Mr Manning said.

COVID DIFFICULTY

Cllr O’Leary acknowledged the difficulties faced by the local authority and all other authorities over the past months with regards to projects due to commence before Covid-19, which were called to a halt as a result of the pandemic.

“There is a clear path forward, the answer is clear and the council have moved on to another tender, which is welcome,” he said.

Mr Manning told the council that the experience in Kilworth is one that is also being experienced in other locations where contracts were not signed before the lockdown.

“There will be circumstances where some of these projects have to be retendered,” Mr Manning noted.