Industrial estate plans include social housing
By Maurice Garvey
THE rezoning of Kylemore industrial areas would benefit from the creation of an ‘incubator hub’ according to Ballyfermot councillors.
Early stage plans to rezone 270 hectares of industrial land – potentially providing up to 20,000 homes at separate sites in the city - were unveiled to councillors at Monday’s (March 4) Dublin City Council monthly meeting.
REZONED: Kylemore Industrial Estate.
The sites are located at Kylemore road, Park West Road (including small Z7 landbank) and Inchicore Works and lands east of Kylemore Road, along with northside locations at Finglas, Glasnevin and near the Malahide Road, Coolock.
City planner John O’Hara said this was the start of a process that could provide 17,000 to 20,000 homes in 10 to 20 years time.
He said the mixed-use developments would be “new places in the city”, and “hubs in their own right” containing “town squares, shops, schools” and local employment.
Ballyfermot councillors welcomed the proposals, noting the need for social housing and many vacant and underused buildings in the Kylemore industrial area.
Cllr Daithí Doolan said the “long overdue plan” was essential to “maximise social housing, recreation and shops”, “particularly around the Naas Rd area.”
Cllr Hazel De Nortúin called for the inclusion of an incubation hub in Kylemore, citing the nearby animation and media college at BCFE.
“What limits people is space. It would be great to have something on a similar scale in Kylemore,” she said.
Cllr Vincent Jackson backed Cllr Nortúin’s proposal for an incubator space, and said the area represented a “total underutilisation of lands.”
“Whatever happens, there will be social housing,” said Cllr Jackson.
“We want to hold onto the big employers. Britvic in Ballyfermot are the biggest employer with 500 people, Park West next door employs a couple of thousand people. That’s what we need to do, reinvigorate those areas.”
Cllr Eilis Ryan warned that the regeneration of the North East Docks has “done nothing” for the housing needs of that area, and asked for clarification of the rezoning to ensure it doesn’t turn into a “slush fund” for developers.
Cllrs also sought clarification on who owns the land banks, and stated the city council need to learn from past planning mistakes prior to commencing any works.
The next stage of the plan will see city planners go out to each of the areas and meet local councillors.
The plans are set to overlap with the current Naas Road LAP (local area plan).
