Work begins on 119-unit Douglas scheme on one of Cork City’s last greenfield sites

Enabling works are about to commence on a key location in Douglas, on one of the last greenfield development sites of scale in the city.

The 119-unit South Douglas Rd scheme is being spearheaded by O’Callaghan Properties, in a joint venture with the Whitaker family-owned motor dealership Johnson & Perrott, under the banner of Ballincurrig Developments.

Enabling works are due to begin in February and the first 39 homes in what will be known as Bridlewood will be launched in Q3 this year, with the first residents in situ in about two years. 

A creche is also part of the first phase of the four-phase development. The 2.4 hectare site, behind Johnson & Perrott’s Douglas Rd dealership, was used to grow crops until relatively recently.

The homes earmarked for the South Douglas Rd will be sold privately, with an element of social and affordable housing. The first phase will include 17 three-bed townhouses; 12 two-bed duplexes with home office; eight two-bed duplexes; two one-bed apartments with home office, and a creche. The price range has not been finalised.

The site is zoned a “sustainable residential neighbourhood”, in the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 and is also noted as a “neighbourhood development site”. Such sites are considered to have the potential to provide “significant benefit to the local neighbourhood and act as catalyst developments, if developed appropriately”.

O’Callaghan Properties managing director Brian O’Callaghan said the zoning designation had informed the design approach to the site from the outset.

“This is a very significant project that will deliver a sustainable and intimate residential neighbourhood on an underutilised site in the city,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

The site is overlooked by currently unoccupied Ballincurrig Villa, a home of noted architectural interest, which will be recognised as a focal point within the scheme. The villa’s former lower lawn is to be retained as public open space. The design incorporates a walking loop available to residents of the wider area, adding a new amenity to the locality.

Entry to Bridlewood — with house design by Reddy Architecture — will be via the South Douglas Rd. There will be a number of parking courts and public realm upgrades to the site’s South Douglas Rd frontage.