Cork City Council approves innovative housing scheme for downsizers

The Elected Members of Cork City Council have given Part 8 planning approval to the redevelopment of a former office building on the Blackrock Road as a modern housing scheme for people wishing to downsize.

Up to 35 residential units will be developed on the Blackrock Road as part of the multi-million Springville House development. The four storey over-basement scheme will include four single storey one -bed houses, 15 two- bed apartments and 16 one bed apartments.

The accommodation will be managed by an approved housing body and it will be offered to “downsizers”.  Residents will also have an onsite caretaker.

Cork City Council provides a Downsizing Scheme so that existing local authority homes that are under occupied by older persons can be freed up. Residents who own their own homes can also avail of a downsizing scheme in operation for private home owners, where Cork City Council acquires private homes subject to eligibility criteria. Older persons eligible for the scheme are persons aged sixty years and over. 

Residents living at Springville House, which is less than a kilometre from the city centre, will not be entitled to parking permits so the impact of the development on traffic will be limited.

Cork City Council Director of Housing, Brian Geaney said : “This is another first for Cork City and Ireland; conversion of an outdated commercial / office facility to a modern residential building to assist in tackling social housing demand. The proposed scheme will provide much needed homes under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness and will help contribute to dealing with the pent up demand for housing in the city. It is an innovative and sustainable housing project near the city centre”.

It is expected that construction work will begin in the latter part of this year.