Chapter 10 I Key Growth Areas & Neighbourhood Development Sites
8. Tower
Photo: Janice O'Connell @ F22 Photography, Cork.
Introduction
ability to cater for large population increases, notably for education and transport. There may be limited potential for additional housing on infill sites within the development boundary.
10.288 Tower is situated in the northwest of the City, 11 km from Cork City centre. The town developed rapidly in the earlier part of the 20th century around a smaller village. Tower is set within visually prominent, steep slopes that form catchments for rivers and streams feeding into the River Lee to the south, and which help distinguish Tower from Blarney which lies 5 km to the east.
Transport and Connectivity
10.290 Tower is extremely car dependent with 85% of the population travelling by private means (car, van, motorbike, etc.) to their place of work or education. In common with Cork City and the other Urban towns, future transport and connectivity will be guided by the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Study (CMATS) which was published by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in 2020. It provides for significant investment in transport in the Cork region including commuter rail, bus corridors, light rail, park and rides, walking and cycling infrastructure and road networks. 10.291 Tower, along with the neighbouring settlements of Blarney and Kerry Pike, is being considered for high frequency bus services. Tower currently has no dedicated cycling facilities.
Population and Housing
10.289 Tower has a young population, with 38% of the estimated 3,274 population aged under 25 years old. Most households living in the town consist of young families, with over half being of pre-school, early school or adolescent age. Development is somewhat constrained by the topography of the area and associated flood plain to the east. Large areas to the south and west have also experienced significant flood risk. The potential for additional development in Tower needs to be examined in the context of these constraints and the need to balance development with the service providers'
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Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 I Volume 1
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