BAM’s New Road Supporting 2,500 New Homes at Water-Rock Urban Expansion Area in Cork, Officially Opens

BAM Ireland has officially inaugurated a critical 1.7km link road within Cork's Water-Rock Urban Expansion Area, a significant public-private collaboration poised to unlock development for 2,500 new homes and associated commercial infrastructure. Jointly funded by the Government’s Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) and Cork County Council, with design by AtkinsRéalis, this infrastructure represents a pivotal enabler for regional housing supply, aligning directly with Ireland’s strategic objectives for compact growth and sustainable urban development. The project exemplifies environmentally conscious construction practices, incorporating biodiversity preservation through the careful transplanting of rare Bee Orchids and the judicious re-use of approved on-site materials, thereby effectively minimising its carbon footprint. With planning permission already secured for 1,400 residential units and housing construction actively underway, this arterial route is strategically positioned to alleviate pressure on existing infrastructure in Midleton and East Cork. Its design integrates extensive pedestrian and cycle pathways, anticipating future essential amenities including schools, parks, and a new railway station, underscoring its profound long-term societal and economic value. The initiative’s recognition for "Best Innovation in Urban Planning" at the 2023 LAMA Awards further validates its strategic approach to infrastructure-led housing activation. Read More