Former HSE land has potential for 215 residential units
By Maurice Garvey
EXPRESSIONS of interest for affordable housing developments in Cherry Orchard and Ballymun, have been advertised by Dublin City Council and Rebuilding Ireland.
The site at the former HSE lands behind Cherry Orchard Hospital, has potential for 215 residential units which if built, will be offered to eligible households who qualify for local authority Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans.
The former HSE lands behind Cherry Orchard Hospital.
In 2014, DCC advertised the landbank for expression of interest in developing social and private housing, but nothing materialised in the way of homes.
DCC said the site in question is similar to the one advertised a number of years ago, but there is more land involved now – extending to 14.82 acres.
“The site has potential for 215 residential units – 151 houses and 64 apartments,” said a spokesperson.
Councillor Daithí Doolan, chair of Dublin City Council housing committee, said unlike 2014, this approach is “not dependent on private investment” and will be a “city council led development.”
He said: “This is a good news housing story for a change. Dublin’s housing crisis will only be solved by the building of social and affordable housing. DCC have waited years for this Government to introduce an affordable housing model. Despite this, we have proceeded with an affordable housing programme of our own.
“Having received a grant to make the site development ready, DCC will employ builders to build homes which will allow the council to sell them to families at cost price. Cutting out the developer will allow families to buy homes at a far cheaper rate than on the open market.”
DCC said the exact details of how the affordable scheme works will be announced in the near future by the Government.
“The prices of these affordable units will not be known until the tendering process has been completed which should happen later this year,” said DCC.
Funding has been approved by the Department of Housing to upgrade the infrastructure and make the site development ready.
