State's affordable housing body to deliver 328 new homes in South Dublin
The new apartments are located close to the award winning Shanganagh Castle Estate, where 597 new affordable purchase, cost rental and social homes have been developed by the LDA in partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
The new homes are being built in partnership with developer Castlethorn, through the LDA's 'Project Tosaigh' initiative. Project Tosaigh aims to provide a fair deal to renters struggling to pay private sector rents by unlocking land with full planning permission that is not being developed by private sector owners.
It is a means to accelerate the supply of affordable housing, and the completed homes are then owned by the LDA and made available as cost rental, or sold by the LDA in partnership with local authorities through affordable purchase schemes.
In Shankill, all of the 328 Woodbrook apartments will be made available as cost rental. This provides a secure, long term rental option with rents at least 25pc below market rates. Cost rental is designed to assist those who do not quality for social housing or other state housing supports, but who are struggling to afford to rent in the private market.
The apartments are part of Castlethorn's Woodbrook development, which includes 685 homes and has the potential to deliver an additional 500 homes. The development will also feature excellent amenities including a creche, a primary school and neighbour centre, helping to create a vibrant and well-serviced community.
The development will comprise two blocks over six storeys and are due to be completed by 2026. They are located beside Woodbrook Golf Club, featuring views of the course and the Dublin's coastline.
They will also be in easy reach of the new Woodbrook Dart station, which is due to open this summer. In addition to Dart services, the area is located between Shankill and Bray, on a main bus route with easy access to the M11 and M50.
Commenting on the plans, the chief executive of the LDA, John Coleman, said: 'This is a very welcome partnership between the LDA and Castlethorn. We are forward funding the development of 328 new cost rental homes in a prime location with excellent transport links, local amenities and facilities.
"This is a highly accessible and attractive location for renters, and we are pleased to be working with an experienced delivery partner in Castlethorn to bring these homes to market by the end of 2026. These new homes will play an important role in addressing demand for affordable, secure rental accommodation in south Dublin.'
Meanwhile, Castlethorn CEO Joe O'Reilly, said 'the proximity to the new Dart station, high-quality design, and inclusion of community facilities make this a highly attractive offering'.
"We look forward to delivering these sustainable A-rated homes and helping to establish a new community that will thrive for generations to come,' he added.
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