Dublin city plan only includes 300 social housing out of 3,000
A MULTI-BILLION euro city centre development in the Irish capital could see only 300 out of 3,000 homes built to house the thousands suffering rental crises and the homeless.
The Government has approved plans brought forward by Dublin City Council to build housing – with construction proposed for next year – while the homeless emergency worsens this year.
But currently the plan on the failed Celtic Tiger plot at Poolbeg – given the go-ahead by council and government officials is to have only around 300 social housing properties.
Around 2,700 properties would be private – and the price of these is unknown, but given they are in the city centre, it is suspected the homes would be highly priced.
there needs to be more than 10% social and affordable housing on this #poolbeg site. https://t.co/9L4wIBHdBp
— Chris Andrews (@chrisandrews64) May 20, 2016
Housing Minister Simon Coveney said around 10 per cent of the homes will be marked out for social housing, with a potential for more than that. He said the plan would create “city living of real quality”.
“There will be need for both, but my focus is trying to turn sites with potential in the city into sustainable communities. That’s why the SDZ for the Irish Glass Bottle site makes sense,” he added.
Poolbeg plan must have max social, affordable & cost rental housing. Otherwise just another bailout! @DubCityCouncil @DublinSinnFein
— Cllr. Daithí Doolan (@DaithiDoolan) May 20, 2016
The Irish Independent reported the story and quoted Dublin Lord Mayor Críona Ní Dhálaigh, who said the plans did not go far enough.
The Lord Mayor said she hoped to gain up to 30 per cent of the homes for social housing purposes, and that public consultation was key.
“I don’t think 10 per cent is enough,” she said. “We have a crisis in housing, but it’s not just social housing. We have couples who both work and can’t get their foot on the property ladder, and people who can’t rent, and 3,000 units which would go a long way towards addressing the crisis across all sectors.”
The plans, expected to be completed by autumn will be subject to public consultation, according to the Irish Independent.
The newspaper reported sources said at least 3,000 homes could be built along with 130,000 square metres of commercial development.
Poolbeg was purchased for more than €400m in 2006, but is worth less than €50m today.
The site is part of 34-hectares in Dublin 4 that will go through what is being reported as fast-track planning.
Sources told the newspaper at least 3,000 homes could be built, along with 130,000 square metres of commercial development. That includes offices, shops, leisure facilities, a hotel, health and childcare facilities and at least two schools across 7,000 square metres.
Most of the housing and commercial and retail units are expected to be built on the IGB/Fabrizia site, and will be funded by Nama.
Planned #SDZ for Poolbeg and #IGB site a welcome move to boost construction and development in that part of Dublin. #construction.
— Ruadhan Kenny (@ruadhankenny) May 20, 2016
The investment is expected to cost over €800m on housing, before the commercial and retail development is constructed.