Dublin City councillors agree to develop 200+ new homes

AT APRIL’S Dublin City Council meeting, councillors voted to approve the development of 200 new social homes across the city.

The units are spread throughout various projects being progressed by the council in Cabra, Coolock and Crumlin.

On the site of the former St Finbar’s Court complex in Cabra, 46 one-bedroom apartments for older persons will be developed with the project contract expected to be put out for tender shortly.

The council also sought Part 8 planning permission for the construction of 12 new apartments at the junction of Moatview Drive and Belcamp Crescent in Coolock.

The apartments will be in four blocks, two storeys in height with three homes in each block.

“This scheme will be developed under our Volumetric (Rapid Build) programme and it will now go out to tender for construction as soon as possible,” says the council.

Three new houses will also be built on the site of a derelict dwelling at 30 Sacville Avenue that is due to be demolished and has been “compulsory acquired” by the council.

“We will now proceed as quickly as possible to tender for a contractor to demolish the existing structure and to construct these new homes.”

The largest of the newest developments will be situated at Coruba House, St. Agnes Road in Crumlin, Dublin 12.

The council has agreed to dispose of the site to Circle Voluntary Housing Association which has partnered with Seabren – the company developing the privately owned site located directly adjacent to Coruba House.

“The combined proposal will facilitate the development of 152 quality new homes – 50% of the new scheme will be constructed for cost rental scheme and the other 50% will be for social housing.

“Planning permission for the overall scheme is currently under consideration by Bord Pleanála and if approved the development will commence without delay.

Lord Mayor and Green Party councillor Hazel Chu said the progress is welcome.

“The delivery of quality social housing is a priority for Dublin City Council and these 213 new homes will be a welcome addition to the existing housing stock.

“With so many people looking for a home in the city at the moment, it is vitally important that the housing delivery programme continues apace and these decisions made this week by the council ensure that this essential work continues.”

Brendan Kenny, Deputy Chief Executive said: “These very welcome decisions by Dublin City Councillors are a key milestone in the development of these sites and for the progression of our Housing Delivery Programme.

“In total, it represents the construction of 137 Social Housing Units and 76 Cost Rental Units, 213 new homes.

“We need much more of this and we need to speed up our very significant delivery pipeline and where possible make up for time lost because of the Covid-19 lockdowns.”