Government maintains a strong focus on the use of vacant and underutilised public land for housing.
The transfer of over 30 state owned sites to the Land Development Agency (LDA) for regeneration and development of affordable and social housing has now been agreed under the Government’s Housing for All Plan, and following assessment of state lands identified in the LDA’s first Report on Relevant Public Lands published in 2023.
In addition, the LDA partner with local authorities to plan and develop housing on key local authority owned sites. LDA activity in Dublin 8, 10 and 12 to secure housing delivery is, to date, focused on local authority owned sites.
The LDA received planning permission in June 2023 for 543 new homes at the Donore project at the site of the former St Teresa’s Gardens, Dublin 8, which is a delivery partnership with Dublin City Council. The development will include 543 apartments (389 Cost Rental units and 154 social homes) incorporating a mix of studios, 1, 2 and 3 bed apartments. The plans include a crèche, a multi-sports playing pitch, commercial/retail space, community/cultural/arts space and associated public open space. Enabling works have commenced on site and are scheduled to run until December 2024, with a main construction contract commencement target of Q1 2025.
The LDA and Dublin City Council have also announced plans for development of over 1,200 homes at Cherry Orchard Point in Dublin 10, with a proposed mix of cost rental and social homes, along with retail and community space, to be developed on greenfield land owned by Dublin City Council. Planning was granted in September 2024 for Phase 1 (708 units) with a current indicative mix of 547 Cost Rental and 161 Social homes. Phase 2 is currently at preplanning stage and is expected to include affordable purchase homes.
Furthermore, the LDA in partnership with Dublin City Council are planning for the regeneration of and delivery of approximately 390 new Cost Rental and Social homes at Bluebell Waterways in Dublin 12. A planning application is targeted to be lodged in early 2025, with construction targeted to commence on site in 2026.
Estimated build costs for each of these projects will be determined on completion of the planning, design, and construction tendering process. Further information on these development schemes can be found on the LDA's website lda.ie/projects.
