Eight years after it was first proposed Dublin City Councillors have now voted in favour of the controversial Oscar Traynor Road housing development in Coolock.
853 homes, consisting of 40% social (341 homes), 40% cost rental (341) and 20% affordable purchase homes (171) are now proposed.
One fear expressed is that the private homes will be sold to vulture funds.
Many councillors have had and expressed their concerns about the now long planned for development. They wondered if the affordable homes would really be affordable, how much the council will pay for the social housing and whether the private homes could be sold off in bulk to an investment fund.
The site just off Coolock Lane is roughly 5.5 kilometres north of the city centre and around 3.5 kilometres south of Dublin Airport.
DCC Councillors selected Glenveagh Living as the preferred bidder. Glenveagh’s first proposal involved the construction of 853 residential units together with associated infrastructural works, commercial units and open spaces.
The residential plan consisted of 253 Social, 172 affordable purchase and 428 private homes- a mix of 50% private, 30% social and 20% affordable purchase.
Independent Left Councillor John Lyons said he couldn’t support the plans, as the affordable homes aren’t really affordable to couples on low and middle incomes.
A key element of this new proposal was for the site to be developed directly by Dublin City Council or in partnership with an Approved Housing Body with an alternative tenure mix as follows: 40% Social Housing, 40% Cost/Affordable rental, 20% Affordable Purchase.
As part of the revised plan, Glenveagh is prepared to sell a further 10% of the private homes to Dublin City Council, increasing the percentage of the social homes to 40% and to sell the remaining 40% of the private homes to an Approved Housing Body for the provision of Cost Rental Housing. 20% of the homes would be sold to DCC for the provision of Affordable Purchase housing.
It is anticipated that a planning application could be lodged in the spring next year with potential construction from the start 2023.
However Dublin City Council’s Head of Housing Brendan Kenny said last week that it could take another five to eight years before the site is redeveloped.
Sinn Féin’s Housing Spokesperson Eoin O’Broin took to twitter to express his dismany at the decision:
Last nights DCC Oscar Traynor Rd vote was disappointing but not surprising.
FF/FG/GP/LP have gifted public land to a developer in exchange for unaffordable homes.
Glenveagh will charge up to €338k for a 1 bed, up to €406k for a 3 bed & €1,500 pm for a 2 bed. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/054yV0hQQR
— Eoin Ó Broin (@EOBroin) November 23, 2021
Lord Mayor, Alison Gilliland said:
“Taking a decision on how best to proceed with the realisation of public housing on this site was extensively considered by all members of Dublin City Council. While it would be the preference of the majority that Dublin City Council lead the design, planning and development going back to beginning and starting again when we are at this stage would lose valuable time in a housing crisis – too many individuals and families are waiting too long on our social housing waiting lists, too many young people are living with their parents as they can’t afford to buy a home and too many are struggling with high market rents. The decision to enter into a Development Agreement with Glenveagh Living Limited will allow Dublin City Council realise 853 social, cost rental and affordable purchase homes along with extensive community facilities in a timely manner over the next 3- 4 years and provide for those in housing need.”
Dave Dinnigan, A/Assistant Chief Executive, Housing & Community Services said:
“Dublin City Council look forward to working with Glenveagh Living Limited in the delivery of a new community at Oscar Traynor Road. The proposed development will accommodate 853 new homes, almost 1700 Sq.M. mixed use and community facilities, a crèche and over 3.6 hectares of the highest quality public open space and parks. A planning application will be lodged by end Q2 next year.”
