West Cork’s largest housing estate made up of 246 new properties is expected to get under construction as early as spring 2026.

The €100m development at Clogheen, just off the bypass road opposite the Park Hotel, has been two years in the planning according to sources.

Cork County Council granted conditional planning for the project under its large-scale development process last week, with finalisation of the detailed planning application expected in January. Construction could start in late spring or early summer 2026.

The project by HB Clogheen Developments will include 177 houses, 60 apartments, 12 sheltered units, a creche catering for 65 children and 50 social housing units.

The 19-acre development will have access via the Park Hotel on the bypass and at Lady’s Cross.

Parking spaces with electric vehicle charging, bike spaces, green areas, pedestrian paths and new roads are included in the plans.

Local developer Herbert Buttimer and builder Michael Dempsey, of Dempsey Construction, who also built An Sruthán Beag in Clonakilty, are behind the project.

‘It took two years to get it over the line and we’ve gone into a lot of detail. There’s such a housing need in the country and many people are looking forward to this,’ Michael Dempsey told The Southern Star.

‘It created a lot of excitement when the news came out last week that the large-scale development was granted. We are an established company and have done a lot of building over the years. This will be a mixed development that will address many housing needs in the area.’

The mixed scheme will have three five-bed homes, 41 four-bed houses, 90 three-beds, 31 two-beds, and 12 one-beds.

Six two-story apartment blocks, each with 4 units, will provide 24 two-bedroom apartments.

There will also be three three-story apartment blocks with 15 units each, offering 36 two-bed and nine one-bed apartments.

A new free-span bridge is planned to carry the access road over the existing waterway.

Pre-cast concrete elements will be transported to the site for assembly.

A Section 50 application will be submitted to the Office of Public Works (OPW) to proceed with the project.

Other aspects include a roundabout near the Clonakilty Park Hotel, public lighting, a new substation and pedestrian improvements at key junctions.

Extensive drainage and sewer infrastructure, including nature-based Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), are also part of the plans. The proposal was supported by detailed environmental and impact assessments.

The development takes Clonakilty a step closer to its plan to add 600 new homes by 2028 to counter the housing shortage.

Some concerns were raised by nearby residents about the volume of traffic and traffic calming in the area.

Speaking at a meeting of the West Cork Municipal District this week, Cllr Daniel Sexton (Ind Ire) said it is fantastic news that new houses are being in Clonakilty.

‘We need housing and I’m in no way opposed to new development. But it’s very concerning about the traffic in town and that will have to be looked at. At the same time, I want to commend the developer for engaging with residents up there.’