Building firm unveils plan to construct hundreds of new houses across Limerick

THREE brothers leading a development firm have unveiled plans to build hundreds of new homes in Limerick - and further afield.

Denis Corbett and Ger Corbett, both blocklayers by trade, have teamed up with Noel Corbett, a plumber by profession to create The Corbett Group.

The trio are well under way on building across Limerick, with projects active in Newcastle West, where they were raised, Cappamore, Murroe and their home parish of Castlemahon.

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There are also other developments in the pipeline in Limerick in a major fillip to the local construction industry.

“We are genuinely excited. We want to deliver. We are three brothers coming together from a small local area that is going to build homes not just in Limerick, but across the country. That’s our plan,” declared Ger Corbett.

The Corbett Group held a launch event at its building site in Newcastle West, where they are into the final phase of building the Woodfield Manor estate, based on the land of the town’s former golf course.

In attendance were local TD and Minister of State Niall Collins, some of the area’s local councillors, and auctioneer Charlie O’Brien, who is responsible for selling houses in the development, which will initially bring 112 homes.

When it’s finished, Ger Corbett says there's more to come.

“We are also in planning permission for various other sites in Newcastle West,” he said.

Asked the impact he feels this will have, he added: “I think this will bring the price of houses down everywhere. The more we build, the cheaper houses get.”

In recent years, developments in Newcastle West town have been problematic, due to the fact its sewer system is at capacity.

Ger Corbett says there has been “a lot of over and back” with Uisce Eireann, formerly Irish Water.

He admits he and his brothers are taking a “big punt” that the State water utility company lives up to its promise to deliver a functioning sewerage system in the next few years.

Elsewhere in Newcastle West, The Corbett Group is developing 10 homes at Arraview.

A site is being prepared for the foundations to be dug at a development in Cappamore, which will bring 22 more homes, in a mix of two, three and four bedroom accommodation.

Twenty-seven homes are due to be built in Murroe, starting very shortly.

In Castlemahon, homes in a development are set to go on the market in the coming weeks.

Here, ground has been broken on a development of 16 houses plus two apartments and three commercial units.

The Corbett Group also bought a former pub, The Red Setter and got planning permission for 21 units.

Although this will be knocked, a hairdresser, a beautician and a fast-food outlet will join the housing there.

In order to get housing developments built quickly, The Corbett Group are deploying an ICF system, which unlike traditional housebuilding, is not dependent on weather, or as labour intensive.

While Ger Corbett says using ICF is marginally more expensive than regular housebuilding, it is easier to get staff due to the fact it is less labour intensive.

Any extra spend is made up for by the fact that more houses can be completed in a shorter space of time, he added.

Ger Corbett told Limerick Live: “We are here to deliver much needed homes and to create as much local employment as possible.”

The builder said due to the fact their projects are larger scale, it is easier to hire contractors.