Critically, the traditional model of Group Housing Schemes is problematic for the City Council to deliver for a number of reasons. Principal amongst these is their inherent low-density nature, which is contrary to the compact growth policies of Cork City Council as a metropolitan area Planning Authority. Local resident opposition to such developments in established neighbourhoods can also significantly hinder the progress of such proposals. To ensure a sufficient pipeline of this form of accommodation to cater for projected future need, a more flexible view as to the possible delivery mechanisms must be taken. As discussed, one such potential mechanism for delivering Group Housing Schemes is through AHB’s provision 25 . This sector has been traditionally underrepresented in Cork City and there is scope for expansion of their role in the future provision and management of this form of Traveller housing. Another possible mechanism could be to co- locate small 2 - 6 unit clusters of Traveller housing in proximity to, but distinct from new housing developments. As outlined in Section 4.4 areas of Blarney, Glanmire and Ballincollig are earmarked for significant population expansion. There may be opportunities to integrate more standard housing for Travellers and small 2 – 6 unit Traveller housing clusters with larger housing schemes as these areas develop. To accommodate a range of family stages and allow for greater flexibility these clusters would include single and two storey semi-detached houses. It has been noted that 22% of all TAP Survey respondents currently live in two-storey dwellings. Similarly, a significant number of the families in Spring Lane opted for two-storey houses during the redevelopment consultation process. It is considered that to reflect the changes in household size experienced in Traveller families over time a wider mix of house sizes and typologies is needed within these schemes. The need identified in the TAP 2025-2029 is for the
majority of units to be 2 and 3 bedroom, while also including some 1 and 4 bedroom units allowing households within the extended family group to upsize and downsize as needed. It is also acknowledged that some element of single-storey homes or ground floor accessible units are required to cater for the needs of the elderly and to reflect the increased prevalence of long-term medical conditions amongst the Traveller community 26 . Halting Site The Traveller community is a population in transition, with increasing number of Travellers growing up or spending periods of their lives in standard or group housing. The Traveller age profile in different accommodation types (ref Figure 17) and specifically the fact that the older Travellers in TAP Survey households predominantly live in halting sites, is a product of this transition. Only 1% of the TAP Survey Respondents opted for living in halting sites as their first or second preference. Table 9 identifies 1 halting site unit is needed to address the existing accommodation need, based on the respondents’ preferences of future accommodation type. It is also anticipated that 1 further space will be required to address the projected requirement to 2029. A Part VIII Scheme has been approved to redevelop the halting site in Spring Lane with 27 Traveller housing units: 12 units on the existing Spring Lane site and a further 15 housing units on the adjoining Ellis Yard site. The delivery of a further 15 no housing units is proposed for a third site during the life of the 2025 – 2029 TAP. It is envisaged that as the existing residents in halting sites who have a preference to live in Local Authority Housing and Group Housing Scheme are rehoused, the current overcrowding issue should be resolved in the remaining halting site bays within St A nthony’s Park, Meelagh and Hazelwood Grove Group Housing Schemes. It is noted in Table 11 that there is a proposal to accommodate 2 additional bays in At Anthony’s
25 Possibly in partnership with Cena.
26 In the 2022 Census 15% of Travellers reported having a significant, long-lasting medical condition, nearly twice the proportion in the total population.
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Cork City Council | Traveller Accommodation Programme 2025-2029
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