Chapter 2 I Core Strategy
These will be treated as windfall sites, if or when they become available. Such sites will require careful planning and design, including detailed framework plans that ensure best practice regeneration based on the character and nature of their existing urban environments.
The City Capacity Study
2.32 A City Capacity Study was carried out to assess the capacity of Cork City for future development within existing underutilised zoned lands, which includes a combination of greenfield, brownfield and infill sites. The study was undertaken in the context of National Policy Objective 72(a) set out in the NPF. NPO 72(a) requires Planning Authorities to apply a stadardised, tiered approach to differentiate between; (i) zoned land that is serviced and (ii) zoned land that is serviceable within the life of the Plan. This study has informed the required level of land use zoning for residential use in Cork City to meet targets set out in the NPF for the plan period 2022 – 2028. 2.33 Much of the underutilised land identified is serviced or serviceable in the short and medium term, including many infill and brownfield sites within the existing built-up area. Other lands require new infrastructure or have additional constraints such as contamination, remediation, access issues or servicing. Investment in infrastructure will be critical in realising the development of these lands. 2.34 Some brownfield sites with existing active uses, such as state or institutional, were excluded. Their delivery timeframe cannot be estimated as they may or may not change use over time.
Residential Construction and Planning Activity
2.35 The Joint Cork Housing Strategy includes an assessment of housing market trends in Cork since 1970. Fig 2.13 shows how Cork has consistently accounted for 10% - 15% of national new-build homes. Following the economic crash in 2010, new home construction declined dramatically. While gradually recovering, it remains well below the long-term average. The housing strategy highlights how the Cork housing market is currently marked by a supply/demand mismatch, with under-supply remaining a serious issue, particularly in key urban areas. 2.36 Figure 2.14 shows how, reflecting the national trend, the City’s more recent dwelling completion rate is characterised by considerable change. In the period between 2011 - 2016 dwelling completion rates were minimal. From 2016 completion rates have generally grown steadily, all be it from a very low base.
An Analysis of Housing Completions in Cork Since 1970
Cork Rest of Country National LTA
Cork LTA
Figure 2.13: An analysis of Housing Completions in Cork since 1970, source: Joint Housing Strategy.
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Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 I Volume 1
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