Cork County Council today officially opened the Fairfield Drive housing scheme in Masseytown, Macroom.
The new scheme, built on one acre, comprises of seven single-storey units; two 3-bed family type units and five 2-bed units and is one of a number of Cork County Council’s built construction projects that will be delivered over the coming years to address need and meet the targets set in Rebuilding Ireland.
Welcoming the development, Cllr. O’Shea said “I look forward to seeing this development contribute to the vibrant and welcoming community of Macroom and its surrounding areas. Fairfield Drive is one of many such housing schemes that Cork County Council is making available to the people of Cork County. This is indicative of the progress being made in the delivery of high quality housing, throughout the county, to the highest of design standards and I want to wish the residents of Fairfield Drive every happiness in their new homes.”
These houses in Fairfield Drive are a much needed addition to the existing scheme built circa 20 years ago. Designed by Cork County Council’s Architects Department and constructed by Cahalane Bros. Ltd., with a contract value of €1.1m, the new scheme adheres to the standards set out in the Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities guidelines.
The former greenfield site now accommodates a diversity of residents in a variety of housing types with high standards of design.
The scheme uses renewable technologies to achieve an A3 BER rating; PV solar panels, gas condensing boilers, a highly insulated building fabric, mechanical extract ventilation and solid fuel stoves.
Consideration was also given to the design of the public area including planting, boundary types and on-street parking in order to define and complement the open space provided. Enclosed gardens to the front give private open space while a communal green connects to the existing houses on Fairfield Drive; altogether making for a vibrant community and positive sense of place-making.
Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey highlighted the number of housing projects the Council is currently working on.
“Schemes in Kanturk, Blarney, Mallow and Dripsey are at tender stage while proposed developments in Clonakilty, Ballincollig, Bandon, Douglas, Midleton, Dunmanway, Doneraile, Macroom, Bantry, Mitchelstown and Courtmacsherry are progressing through the planning process. In addition Cork County Council is the lead authority for Public Private Partnership Bundle Two, which will see the construction of 400 units, in six Local Authority areas, commencing later this year.”
