Social housing demand for Glass Bottle site

A NEW action group is demanding that the majority of the proposed housing development at the Glass Bottle site in Ringsend be designated for social housing.

The Government designated the NAMA-controlled site a strategic development zone to allow 3,000 new homes and 130,000 square metres of offices and retail space to be developed using fast-track planning powers.

However, under current planning rules only 10 per cent of the homes will have to be reserved for social housing.

The Irish Glass Bottle Site Housing Action Group said in a statement that the proposals made by Minister for Housing, Simon Coveney were “spectacularly underwhelming”.

The group’s spokesperson, Annette Mooney, said: “There is a huge housing crisis in Dublin and NAMA land must be used to solve it.

“The easiest way to do this is to build council housing and in the long run this would help save the State money as it is currently paying out €344 million in rent supplement to private landlords.

“NAMA has stated that it will be spending €800 million on developing the site. Our campaign is insisting that this money be used to build council housing. 

“Some will claim that is ‘unsustainable’ because NAMA must make a profit. However, NAMA is already scheduled to make €1 billion in profit. Some of this money must now be used for council housing.

“After all, NAMA is supposed to ‘contribute to the social and economic development of the State’, according to the 2009 Act establishing it.”

Architect Mark Price added: “With 25,000 people on Dublin’s housing list, this is a golden opportunity to radically change Irish housing policy.

“NAMA must be instructed to develop this site for public good and not for private profit. We must take this opportunity to force our Government to use publicly-owned land to provide homes and facilities for people and not for profit.”

Dublin City Council welcomed the decision by Minister Coveney, which it said would provide for much needed housing and employment.

The council added that it looked forward to working closely with the two main stakeholders, Dublin Port and NAMA, in conjunction with the wider community and elected members in securing key housing and transportation objectives for the city.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Críona Ní Dhálaigh, said the Government’s decision would enable Dublin City Council to begin the preparation of a planning scheme that would assist in addressing the housing crisis in the city.

“Councillors will be looking to ensure any plan provides maximum social, affordable and cost rental homes,” she said.

“With the inclusion of a Social Clause the plan also has the opportunity to provide training and employment.

“The cornerstone of this plan’s success will be proper consultation with the public, the main stakeholders and the elected members.”

Minister Coveney said the new designation cleared the way for a range of opportunities including major residential development with a potential for up to 3,000 badly needed new homes close to employment and services.

“In addition there will be commercial and employment activities including office, hotel, leisure and retail facilities – all of which will provide much needed jobs opportunities,” he stated.

The Irish Glass Bottle Site Housing Action Group is preparing a report on the housing needs of the area.

They are working with a group of volunteer architects and planners to draw up a viable alternative plan for the site.