McAuliffe criticises lack of progress on Ballymun Shopping Centre site

He noted that under the Ballymun Local Area Plan, the shopping centre site is designated for mixed use development, with retail and housing to be delivered.

“The Local Area Plan has 18 sites in the area, all of which have plans for a variety of housing projects, including affordable purchase, cost rental and social housing.,” he explained.

“Dublin City Council are leading these and making good use of the new powers and budgets which the government has made available to council’s and approved housing bodies; but there isn’t the same progress on the Shopping Centre site, and given the large number of projects due to be delivered under the LAP by Dublin City Council, I believe the Land Development Agency may be better placed to develop this complex mixed use site where the shopping centre was located.,” he said.

“The Council have been seeking a partner to develop the site with a process of seeking expressions of interest now open for more than a year. “

“Given the changing nature of retail and the number of shopping centres on the Northside of the city, a Dundrum-style shopping centre is unlikely to now succeed here but this should not hold us back from delivering much-needed housing and small retail units.”

“The LDA was established by the government to take the lead where a complex mix of housing and commercial use is required, and I am again calling for them to work with DCC to develop a plan for this key piece of land in the heart of Ballymun.2

“It is twelve months since I sought commitments from the LDA directly for this to happen and my patience and the patience of people living in the area are running out.”