BALLYMUN is set to benefit from almost 2,000 new homes, a second level Gaelscoil and more facilities for local sporting clubs including Setanta, Ballymun Kickhams and Willows FC.
This follows the passing by Dublin City Council of the first phase of the Ballymun Local Area Plan (LAP) earlier this month, which will guide the future development of around 34 hectares of vacant land in the area.Â
Under the LAP, some land will be set aside for affordable Co-op housing similar to the scheme by O’Cualann Cohousing alliance, which was officially launched earlier this month.
It’s also planned to include homes of mixed income and mixed tenure.
There are also aspirations to bring Ballymun Kickhams back into the heart of the area, provide more land for Setanta GAA and develop the old red barn site on Jamestown Road for soccer facilities.
The council has also accepted calls from local councillors to explore the possibility of obtaining
‘network Gaeltacht’ status from Department of Arts Heritage and Gaeltachta Affairs.
This would mean Ballymun becoming an official Irish language hub if a second level Irish school is built in the area as planned.
The council also wants more shopping facilities in the area as well as a city farm, a skateboard park and an all-weather astro pitch with lights at the rear of Trinity Comprehensive School to be developed under the new LAP.
Local councillors have welcomed the passing of the first phase of the LAP, which will be on public display for four weeks before it comes into force.
“Ballymun people have seen plans come and go,
? said Cllr Paul McAuliffe (FF).
“This time we need the City Council to follow through and deliver what is promised. I want to thank the other local councillors who supported my motions and the local groups who worked with us.
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Ballymun Sinn Féin Councillor Noeleen Reilly is calling for investment from the Department of Environment to implement measures included in the LAP.
“I was very happy to propose this plan for Ballymun last night and I hope we can finally finish off the regeneration,
? she said.
“I had a number of motions on the agenda around additional social and affordable housing, bringing Ballymun Kickhams into the heart of Ballymun, additional resources for Setanta GAA Club and the soccer clubs in the area as well as a Gaeltacht Quarter.
“There is the potential to build up to 2,000 housing units in Ballymun and this has to be a priority especially since we are in the middle of the housing crisis.Â
“We have been meeting for over two years to get to this point and I know the community are eagerly waiting for the regeneration to be completed.
“Many of the measures approved last night now need investment from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government as well as Dublin City Council.
“I will be pushing for this plan to be implemented as soon as possible for the people of Ballymun.
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