Investment of €1bn by council for 4,500 homes
By William O'Connor
SOUTH Dublin County Council is planning to build 4,500 new homes. It is expected that over 70 per cent of the 4,500 homes will be delivered as either social or affordable housing, reports Brendan Grehan and William O’Connor.
The total investment envisaged under the housing plan is in excess of €1 billion.
An artist’s impression of the plans for Belgard Square North
The lands discussed at Monday’s Council meeting included 2,600 new homes at the recently approved Clonburris SDZ scheme, 1,000 new homes at Kilcarbery in Clondalkin, 500 new homes in Killinarden, Tallaght, 250 new homes in Rathcoole, and a further 150 new homes at Belgard Square North.
The Belgard Square North site is known locally as Maelruain’s Field and is owned by South Dublin County Council.
The site is in between the new Belgard Gardens site being developed by Marlet and Exchange Hall Apartments.
The Belgard Gardens development comprises of 438 apartments, 403 bed space student accommodation scheme and a new urban quarter on a 7.2 hectare site off the Belgard Road which was given the green light by An Bord Pleanala in April.
At the back of Maelruain’s Field, plans have already been lodged by Steelworks Property Development Limited who lodged a fast-track planning application in May with An Bord Pleanála for the development of 336 build-to-rent apartment units on Fourth Avenue in Cookstown Industrial Estate.
The Echo also understands that the Belgard Square North site will include an innovation centre and possibly a school.
The site planned for 150 new homes
The Rathcoole site is south of the existing Rathcoole Park behind Coolamber with proposed access off Stoney Lane.
This site will deliver around 250 homes while adjacent sites can cater for school, library, playing pitches and other amenities, woodland and green space.
The Killinarden site is opposite Killinarden Heights, and its the council plan for the delivery of homes largely for affordable purchase accompanied by a community facilities dividend and significant upgrade of Killinarden Park (plans for both to be subject of significant local community consultation) to benefit the existing and new community.
The new schemes announced by the council this week will be delivered in the coming years through a combination of traditional design and build and joint venture solutions.
Plans are being finalized to progress specific procurement and planning processes for each of the sites with first homes likely to be delivered from 2021 onwards.
The breakdown of the five mixed tenure developments will be decided based on the final master plans approved for each site and on the government’s affordable housing scheme.
The €1 billion investment is part of the Council’s plans for building new homes in South Dublin over the coming years as part of its commitment to the government’s overall Rebuilding Ireland programme.
Nearly half of the new homes will be located in the Clonburris Strategic Development Zone.
The land, comprising approximately 280 hectares, is located between Lucan, Clondalkin and Liffey Valley.
The lands have been designated by the Government as a Major Urban Housing Development Site and could provide homes for a population of over 21,000.
The approved Planning Scheme will include the provision of three primary and three post-primary schools. Approximately 72 per cent of the housing will be located within 500 metres of schools and approximately 98 per cent of residents will be able to access a bus stop within 400 metres or train station within 800 metres, thereby significantly reducing dependence on the private car.
The lands will be serviced by two train stations at Kishoge and Clondalkin/Fonthill, approximately a 15-minute train journey from Dublin City Centre. Three regional roads will connect Clonburris to the N4 and the N7.
