Construction BUSINESS

The Land Development Agency (LDA) and Dublin City Council (DCC) have submitted a planning application for 708 cost rental and social housing homes at Cherry Orchard Point in Dublin 10. The application, submitted to An Bord Pleanála, is the second large-scale development to be brought forward by the LDA in partnership with DCC and the largest such joint project to date between the LDA and the local authority.

It follows the granting of planning permission for 543 social and cost rental homes in St. Teresa’s Gardens in Dublin 8 in June of this year as part of another joint project between the LDA and DCC.

The carefully planned new Cherry Orchard development is proposed to create a vibrant and diverse community on a well-connected 6.27-hectare site owned by Dublin City Council.

The planning application includes both housing and commercial units and represents Phase 1 of a wider scheme for lands known as Site 4 and Site 5 in the Park West-Cherry Orchard Local Area Plan.  The overall housing capacity for these lands is estimated at 1,100 units.

The proposed Phase 1 consists of 547 cost rental and 161 social housing units while a further 400 homes and a commercial zone are planned for further phases.

The location is beside Park West & Cherry Orchard Railway Station, adjacent to the M50 and within easy reach of a host of businesses and major employers, including those located at Park West Business Park.

The site for the proposed housing is bound by Cloverhill Road to the north, Cedar Brook Avenue and Park West Avenue to the east, the railway station to the southeast and the M50 to the west.

The apartments are proposed in 16 blocks contained within 9 buildings ranging in height from 4 to 15 storeys. They will include 28 studio homes, 263 one-bed, 368 two-bed and 49 three-bed apartments.

The Phase 1 application also features a major emphasis on amenities and facilities including a proposed supermarket unit, commercial/retail units, internal and external community and cultural spaces and a childcare facility.

Permission is also being sought for a landscaped public open space, including a plaza, multipurpose amenity lawn, play space, outdoor fitness trail, multipurpose games area and a playground.

The proposed homes will be A-rated and completed to a high standard, with heat pump systems, PV panels and quality insulation. Many will have views over communal parkland or landscaped courtyard gardens. All individual apartments will have a balcony or terrace space.

The plans to develop new homes at Cherry Orchard Point are proposed to combine with other public projects planned locally by DCC and included in the Park West-Cherry Orchard Local Area Plan, which was voted on and approved by Dublin city councillors in October 2019.

These positive developments include the redevelopment of Cherry Orchard Park to include a sports hub. Initial public consultation has taken place on this project and DCC is due to conduct further discussions with the local community soon.

DCC’s future plans also include the development of a site opposite St Ultan’s School to provide housing, including senior citizen accommodation, along with a small number of retail units to create a village hub for the area. Plans are also in place to deliver 172 new affordable homes in the local area with the aim of having the houses delivered in 2027.

The LDA planning application follows an extensive period of public consultation and included feedback from locals, representative groups and other stakeholders. As plans for both Cherry Orchard Point and the wider area continue to develop, both the LDA and DCC are committed to further consultation with the community and will be conducting further meetings in addition to newsletter updates. Locals will be encouraged to raise any issues or to bring forward ideas to both public bodies for consideration.

Phelim O’Neill, Head of Property at the LDA, said: “The proposed development includes much-needed social and affordable housing, but it also goes beyond that. At the LDA, we believe it is vital to not only deliver housing, but to deliver new, well-connected, well-served, sustainable and diverse communities and this proposed development is a brilliant example of what can be achieved.”