City Edge regeneration project strategic framework launched

A STRATEGIC framework for City Edge – which is set to become one of Europe’s largest regeneration projects – was launched this week by Dublin City Council and South Dublin County Council.

The project focuses on 700 hectares of brownfield land in the Naas Road, Ballymount and Park West areas on the western edge of Dublin city centre, over a 50-year timescale.

City Edge has the future potential to accommodate up to 75,000 jobs and 40,000 homes that would contribute €13bn GVA (Gross Value Added) a year to the economy.

“The City Edge Strategic Framework sets a Vision for the future of these lands, whereby their intensification can play a central role in the sustainable growth of both Dublin and Ireland,” stated Dublin City Council.

“This aligns with Government policy for ‘Compact Growth’, whereby development is focused on land close to cities where new and existing communities will be able to avail of public transport, walking and cycling and amenities such as parks, schools and community facilities.

“Regeneration of the City Edge area will make a significant contribution to the delivery of much needed new homes and jobs, which in turn will generate sizeable economic, climate and social benefits for the country.”

The publication of the strategic framework is the latest development in the City Edge project, and it has been welcomed by Ibec, the Irish Business and Employers’ Confederation but they noted that it is “critical” that businesses in the area are communicated with and their concerns addressed.

Aidan Sweeney, Ibec Dublin and Eastern Region spokesperson said: “The City Edge project is an exciting opportunity for Dublin’s long-term growth.

“At its core is the determination to tackle unsustainable development patterns and sprawl, which have characterised development across the wider Dublin region and spilled into surrounding counties.

“The City Edge project spans an area four times larger than the Docklands. The ambition shown by South Dublin County Council and Dublin City Council is to be welcomed.

“We now need a clear plan, with timelines, on how it will be delivered and funded.

“It is a 50-year plan, so expectations will need to be managed on the level of housing, new industrial sites, and other developments that can be delivered in the short and medium term.

“With 1,500 businesses and over 25,000 people currently employed in the area, it is critical that communication is central to the project to accommodate business concerns and to address any investment or operational concerns they may have.

“The buy-in of stakeholders must be achieved early in the project cycle. Business should not be solely considered as ‘landowners’, but major employers, manufacturers, and service providers.

“Afterall, we are all shareholders in Dublin’s future prosperity.”

The next step in the City Edge project will be to prepare draft Variations (amendments) to the Dublin City and South Dublin County Development Plans to provide the statutory basis for more localised plans and policies, with further public consultations as part of this process.