PUNCH Consulting delivered civil and structural engineering services to Clúid Housing Association for a notable residential project in the Blackpool area of Cork City. This brownfield site was developed to include 36 sheltered accommodation units and 76 apartments with one to four bedrooms.

PUNCH managed all civil and structural engineering design services, which involved conducting a Site-Specific Flood Risk Assessment (SSFRA) and a Traffic and Transport Assessment (TTA) as part of a Part 8 Planning application submitted to Cork City Council. Detailed designs were executed in accordance with the Public Works Contract form.

Within our design scope, PUNCH completed a comprehensive drainage and watermain design for the site, working closely with both the Cork City Council Drainage department and Irish Water. The project faced various challenges, including the need to design around the culverted Glen River watercourse that ran through the site. Other constraints included the Cork City interceptor sewer, which crossed the western boundary of the site, as well as surface water drainage sewers and fibre optic cables. All of these elements had to be accommodated while remaining operational during the construction process. PUNCH also organised Site Investigation works, which involved rock and soil testing. Given the difficult ground conditions and site topography, several retaining structures were necessary throughout the development to optimise the available buildable area.