Concerns raised about Public-Private housing for Clonburris

Concerns have been raised regarding a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project being led by several county councils in the Greater Dublin Area.

Dublin City Council, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County, Council, South Dublin County Council, Kildare County Council, and Wicklow County Council have all agreed to a project to deliver 795 social homes and 307 affordable homes across several sites.

Overall, there have been 10 sites earmarked for development as part of the current project.

Sites in Clonburris, Sandyford, Balally, Cherry Orchard, and Finglas have all been chosen as appropriate locations for the homes.

A tender process to appoint a private company to lead the construction of the units is due to begin in the coming year with the successful company to act as the council’s “agent for management and maintenance of the development for 25 years.

“Land will remain in the council’s ownership and the homes can fully revert to the Council’s management after 25 years,” South Dublin County Council says.

However, People Before Profit councillor Madeleine Johansson says she has concerns about the scheme and the location of the selected site.

The land in question is located beside existing traveller accommodation at Lynch’s Lane with the capacity for 110-120 homes.

“I voted against this PPP proposal for a number of reasons,” Johansson says.

“Firstly, we don’t know what the cost to the state will be for the 25 years of the project and whether or not this will be value for money for the taxpayer.

“Secondly, there has been a very negative experience of PPP’s in places such as St Michael’s Estate in Inchicore where regeneration has still not been completed after more than 15 years.

“For these reasons I believe that the council should develop this site directly for social housing rather than entering into a PPP with a private company.”

While a private company is maintaining and managing the development for 25, it also receives a  monthly payment from relevant local authority.

“In addition, I have concerns about the existing Traveller accommodation beside this site and the need for more Traveller specific accommodation in the county,” she said.

“This site could have been used for the provision of additional accommodation and I believe there should have been consultation with the existing Traveller families and local representatives before any decision was made.”

Each local authority involved in the project is responsible for their own planning permission with construction expected to be completed in 2026.