O’Shea and Browne Welcome Cork County Council Purchase of 4.2 Acre Milford Site for Housing

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, Deputy John Paul O’Shea, and local Councillor Aileen Browne have welcomed the purchase by Cork County Council of the remaining lands from the original Gort na hAbhainn housing development in Milford for housing purposes.

The site comprises approximately 1.7 hectares (4.2 acres) and formed part of the original Gort na hAbhainn development, which had planning permission for 35 houses, of which 14 were ultimately built.

Deputy John Paul O’Shea TD said “I am delighted to welcome the purchase of these lands by Cork County Council for housing purposes. This is a very positive development for Milford and provides a significant opportunity to deliver additional homes in an established residential area.

“The site comprises approximately 1.7 hectares, or 4.2 acres, and the original planning permission provided for 35 houses, with 14 of those homes already constructed. This means there is significant potential to utilise the remaining lands to deliver much-needed additional housing.

“The availability of suitable land is absolutely critical if we are serious about increasing housing supply in our towns and villages. This is exactly the type of opportunity that should be pursued – land within an existing settlement that can contribute to meeting local housing needs.

“I want to commend Cork County Council for securing these lands. Bringing this site into public ownership gives the Council an important opportunity to progress housing delivery and ensure that this land is used for the benefit of the local community.

“It is particularly important that opportunities such as this are used to support local families and people who want to remain living in Milford and the surrounding area. I will continue to engage with Cork County Council on the future development of the site and will be seeking to ensure that there is continued progress towards delivering homes here.”

Fine Gael Councillor Aileen Browne also welcomed the purchase.

“This is very welcome news for Milford and I am delighted that Cork County Council has secured these lands for housing.

“We are talking about a substantial 4.2-acre site within the existing village, with the original development having planning permission for 35 houses and 14 already built. There is therefore a real opportunity to build on what is already there and deliver further homes for local people.

“There is a clear need for additional housing in Milford and the surrounding area. Having Cork County Council take ownership of these lands provides a strong basis for ensuring that the site is brought forward for housing rather than remaining undeveloped.

“I also believe that additional housing in Milford will have wider benefits for the village. Having more families living locally will help support the community and will be particularly important for the local school, helping to maintain and grow pupil numbers and ensuring that the school remains strong and sustainable into the future.

“I look forward to working with Deputy O’Shea and Cork County Council to see this opportunity progressed and to ensure that the needs of local people remain at the heart of any future plans for the site.

“This is a positive step for Milford, and I hope that we can now see momentum towards delivering new homes on these lands.”