TESCO has hinted that it could be ready to move ahead with plans to develop a supermarket in Clonakilty on land it purchased 20 years ago.

The supermarket giant bought a 6.4-acre site on the N71 bypass road in 2006, which may be developed as early as this year as plans for 246 houses at an adjacent site in Clogheen move ahead.

The €100m housing development got the green light in December 2025 and the project is expected to start construction this spring.

Uisce Éireann’s support for what is the largest single housing development ever undertaken in West Cork is conditional on the developer funding an extension and upgrade of part of the town’s water supply network.

In a statement Tesco told The Southern Star: ‘Tesco is currently exploring options for developing our site in Clonakilty. We are hopeful to be able to provide a further update on progress shortly.’

A traffic study is due to be carried out and will address concerns around the current N71 bypass and the possible need for an outer relief road for Clonakilty.

Tesco has ten outlets in Cork but nothing further west than Ballincollig and Wilton. It was refused permission for a store in Bantry in 2009.

Plans are afoot to develop part of the Clonakilty site for a Tesco store in addition to rumours of a second commercial use tenant.