Demolition works commence on former Cable and Wireless site

DEMOLITION works at the former Cable and Wireless site at the corner of Airton Road and the Belgard Road in Tallaght commenced in recent days.

Last week, work started on the demolition of the building to make way for the permitted development of 328 apartment units at the site.

Planning permission for the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) was granted to Power Scaffolding Supplies Ltd by An Bord Pleanála in February 2020.

The residential scheme is to be called Airton Plaza, and includes plans for a creche within one of the two blocks where the apartments are to be housed.

This is the latest development in an area of Tallaght that was previously a hub of employment activity, but in recent years has been earmarked for numerous large-scale residential developments.

The former Gallaher’s cigarette factory site on Airton Road, which was a maker of well-known brands including Benson & Hedges and Silk Cut and at one time employed over 1,000 people, has planning permission for 502 apartments.

Back in 2020, permission was granted for the change of use of former Paddy Power offices on Airton Road, for a family hub.

The hub is to facilitate 38 residential units, with 16 units at ground-floor level and 22 units at first-floor level, and communal kitchen facilities, storage space, family rooms and internal play spaces.

Airton Road features in South Dublin County Council’s current Tallaght Local Area Plan (LAP) in the Broomhill and Greenhills section.

It has been earmarked for “emerging residential uses along primary frontages”, and the overall area of Broomhill and Greenhills is to be “predominantly business with more mixed-use residential” uses, according to the LAP.