The award-winning Water Rock Local Area Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) infrastructure scheme in Midleton, County Cork was officially opened on 12th July 2024 by the Tánaiste, Micheál Martin TD and the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll with the Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell, Cork County Engineer, John Slattery, AtkinsRéalis Project Director, Richard Neuling and BAM UK & Ireland Project Manager, Christy Hannon.
Planned and designed by AtkinsRéalis, the Water-Rock LIHAF initiative won the award for Best Innovation in Urban Planning at the 2023 LAMA All Ireland Community and Council Awards. Over the years to come, the Water Rock infrastructure will enable the development of a sustainable community in East Cork with 2,500 new homes, 3 new schools, a new railway station, community centre, public parks and inter-urban cycle route.
The Water Rock infrastructure is an exemplar of multi-agency collaboration between Cork County Council, Uisce Éireann, Iarnród Éireann, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Office of Public Works.
