56 homes planned for Cork sweet factory site vacant for almost 30 years
The Topps factory in Ballincollig ceased operations in 1998. Picture: Eddie O"Hare
A major social housing plan has been unveiled for the long-time vacant site of what was once described as Cork’s very own Willy Wonka sweet factory.
Cork City Council has published a Part 8 planning notice on plans to build 56 new social homes on the site of the former Topps sweet factory in Ballincollig, which has lain vacant for almost 30 years.
Topps, an international marketer of children’s confectionery, set up operations in the town’s Innishmore area in 1976.
Famous for producing Bazooka bubble gum and Golden Nuggets gum with tattoos, locals recall fondly how in the early years, children from local estates were often invited into the factory to taste some of the products, sometimes even before they hit the shelves, and then sent home with bags stuffed full of sweets.
The company ceased operation in the town in 1998 and put the 10-acre site up for sale.
The main building was demolished a short time later and the site has lain vacant and overgrown ever since.
It is privately owned.
However, it is understood that the social housing plan for the site emerged from the competitive dialogue process led by City Hall, which invites developers or landowners to come forward with housing proposals.
Under the new plan, 56 new homes, ranging from four-bed to one-bed units, will be developed on the site.
Sinn FĂ©in councillor Cork City South West, Joe Lynch, who was raised in Innishmore and still lives there, remembers the Topps factory from his childhood and welcomed the housing plan for the site.
"This site is an ideal location for the development of housing,” he said.
"Bringing the site back into use is something I have been working on from day one of being elected to council.
"I have made the case already to senior council officials that with new homes must come additional investment in the existing community, and I will continue to make this case throughout the remainder of the planning process and the proposal — once finalised — will be voted on by council.”
He also plans to host an information evening in the area in the coming weeks to discuss the housing plan.
"I look forward to engagement with neighbours, residents, and other stakeholders over the coming weeks to maximise the community gain from this development; mindful of the need to deliver these badly-needed homes for those on the Council's housing list as quickly as possible," he said.
In 2022, a €13m social housing scheme called Westview was officially opened on a nearby site, which had also lain vacant for years.
That 44 home scheme featured a a mix of apartments, townhouses, and duplexes and was delivered by approved housing body Respond in partnership first with Cork County Council, and then in association with Cork City Council following the 2019 city boundary extension.
