Construction underway to deliver over 540 homes at former St Teresa's Gardens site
CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY to deliver over 540 social and cost rental homes on the former St. Teresa's Gardens site in Dublin.
The
final block of flats were demolished in 2016
to make way for the
regeneration projection, officially titled the Donore Project.
The site is located off Donore Avenue in the Dolphin's Barn area of Dublin 8, adjacent to the Liberties and covers an area of 1.74 hectares.
Constructed in the 1950's, St Teresa's Gardens was one of the largest public housing complexes built by Dublin City Council but regeneration plans fell through in 2009 in the midst of the recession.
The plans were revived by Dublin City Council in 2014 but then faced another set-back when hazardous waste was discovered at the site.
The new affordable housing development, for which planning permission was granted in June 2023, is being delivered by the Land Development Agency (LDA) and Dublin City Council.
The LDA is the State's affordable housing delivery body.
Artist's impression of the project
It includes 542 new homes, including 389 cost-rental and 153 social housing apartments.
Advertisement
There will be a mix of accommodation types, comprising 233 one-bedroom apartments, 265 two-bedroom apartments and 44 three-bedroom apartments.
The new homes will be located next to Dublin City Council's own development of 54 social homes on Margaret Kennedy Road which were also built on part of the former St. Teresa's Gardens land.
Once complete, the Donore Project will include a new creche, community spaces, a café/retail unit, mobility hub and the new home for the Donore Boxing Club.
Construction on a multipurpose sports pitch is to follow too.
The LDA said the project is part of an ongoing plan to create a 'sustainable and integrated new community in the area'.
'In tandem with semi-private open spaces for residents, it will deliver public open spaces and recreational facilities designed to complement and connect neighbouring developments,' said a spokesperson.
These initial enabling works are complete, with the main contract for construction has been awarded to John Paul Construction and is underway.
Housing Minister James Browne said it's 'great to see this part of Dublin benefitting from such a transformative project'.
Meanwhile, John Coleman, Chief Executive of the LDA, described Donore Project as a 'flagship development as it demonstrates our ability to deliver housing on State-owned land'.
He said it also showcases the LDA's ' ambition to create new liveable, sustainable and integrated communities that can cater for the needs of families, older people and renters'.
Elsewhere, Richard Shakespeare, Chief Executive of Dublin City Council, said the Council has 'engaged extensively with local residents and businesses, and we are confident that once completed, the Donore Project will add significantly to what is an already thriving community'.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
a day ago
- RTÉ News
3 crucial issues facing the Government on housing
In a week when the minister responsible for housing admitted that meeting the Government's own target for the delivery of new housing this year would be "extremely challenging", RTÉ's Economics and Public Affairs Editor David Murphy examines three key issues that must be addressed if progress is to be made. The Government is facing the most significant decision during its tenure on housing - what to do about rent caps. The limits on how much landlords can charge are blamed by some in the industry for a downturn in home building last year, although they protect thousands of financially stretched tenants in an already expensive market. The current Rent Pressure Zones were introduced as a temporary step in 2016 and continuously extended. In 2021 they were tightened, reducing the maximum increase from 4% to 2% and making them some of the most restrictive in the world. The current rent caps expire at the end of this year, and the Government has to decide if it plans to retain them, alter them or abandon them altogether. Last month the Minister for Housing James Browne received a report from the Housing Agency which looked at options on the issue for the Government. The report highlighted significant problems with retaining the existing 2% cap and looked at alternatives including moving to a higher limit. Another option, suggested by Paris-based think tank the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, is allowing to landlords freely adjust rents when tenants move out. But the downside is that it could act as a financial incentive for property owners to evict tenants. The feeling in government circles is that any change is going to require a lot of work to make it clear to the public why an adjustment to the rent caps is being planned. That would likely see ministers preparing the ground by explaining the drawbacks with the existing restrictions, which are partly blamed by the industry for a 24% fall in apartment construction last year. Obviously fewer new homes leads to higher rents at a time when the population is growing, the economy is expanding and there are plenty of jobs. It is important to note that the cycle of higher interest rates, now being reduced, made some building projects unviable for investors over recent years and that too was a factor in the fall in house building last year. Many observers across the political spectrum and housing sector believe the Government will have an exceptionally tough decision to make on rent caps and will face vocal opposition. Sources within the Coalition say that high level talks are continuing and a decision is possible in the coming weeks. Completions During the General Election last year, the Government controversially misled the public over how many houses would be built in 2024. A number of figures, including then Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien said about 40,000 would be completed last year. When the final figures were published only 30,000 were built. This year the Government has a target of 41,000 homes. The Economic and Social Research Institute forecasts it will fall short, and that 34,000 will be completed in 2025. This week, Minister Browne admitted meeting the Government's target would be "extremely challenging". He added there were "different numbers out there and they are all trending to the ESRI's number". But the Government's own target of 41,000 is far short of the approximately 50,000 or 60,000 homes other experts, including the Central Bank and the Housing Commission, say are needed to address the existing shortfall and future needs. This week, Minister Browne said the State is now involved in supporting about 50% of the housing output. He argues that if completions are to increase "we have to activate the private sector". That means getting more private investor involvement - which explains why the Government is reviewing the rental caps. Water connections Homes can't be finished without connections to water and wastewater networks. Late last year, Irish Water/Uisce Éireann said it could only connect 35,000 properties a year over the next five years. The utility has become notably vocal about key issues which it feels are hampering urgently needed improvements and expansions of the water network. At the Oireachtas Committee on Infrastructure this week, Uisce Éireann CEO Niall Gleeson forecast it would spend €10.3bn on capital projects between 2025 and 2029. But he said the organisation required a further €2bn to achieve the Government's objective of building 300,000 homes over the next five years. He also criticised the existing funding model and said providing additional money annually creates uncertainty. He suggested multiannual funding to help deliver long-term projects. The Department of Housing says Uisce Éireann's request for an additional €2bn is being considered in the context of the revised National Development Plan which is expected to be published in July. Mr Gleeson also highlighted issues with the planning system and said some complex projects are taking more than a decade to get the green light. He called for reform of legislation to tackle the issue. The Government continually repeats that dealing with the housing crisis is the number one issue for this administration, but it has a lot to do before it can convince observers that significant progress is being made.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- RTÉ News
Over 230 new social houses opened in Meath developments
Over 230 new social houses have been officially opened across three residential developments in Co Meath. The developments, which cost a total of around €81.3 million to build, are located in Farganstown outside Navan, Aylesbury in Clonee and Millrace in Ashbourne. The development at Farganstown outside Navan, which cost over €25.8 million, consists of 84 new homes on a 1.7 hectare site. The Aylesbury development in Clonee cost over €28 million and consists of 73 new apartments in two apartment blocks close to the village. Meanwhile, at a cost of around €27.5 million, the development in Millrace in Ashbourne is made up of 74 new homes on a 2.8 hectare site. Minister for Housing James Browne visited each of the three developments today to mark the official opening of the houses. Speaking afterwards, Minister Browne commended Meath County Council for exceeding their five-year social housing delivery target and for their "forward-thinking approach" in acquiring land for future social housing projects. The minister said: "Beyond the numbers and delivery figures, it's crucial to remember the real impact: a family or individual whose life will be greatly enhanced by having a long-term, secure and affordable home in a thriving community. These 231 new homes aren't just roofs over heads, they offer peace of mind and long-term security. Meanwhile, the Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Councillor Sharon Tolan said: "Late last year, when we launched Meath County Council's Corporate Plan, I emphasised the council's unwavering commitment to excellence in every priority, strategy and vision we set out. Providing high-quality homes to people was a key priority in that plan. "I am thrilled to welcome the completion of 231 beautiful new homes in three rapidly growing areas within our county, especially considering the current national housing challenges." Chief Executive of Meath County Council Kieran Kehoe said he was proud that the local authority continued to exceed its delivery targets despite being in the middle of a national housing crisis. "These developments are yet another example of Meath County Council and our partners in the Department of Housing recognising our communities' diverse needs and delivering high-quality housing solutions to meet them. "At Meath County Council, we remain as focused as ever in making major strides to address the housing challenges for the people of Meath," Mr Kehoe added. It comes as the latest homelessness figures, which were published today, show that 15,580 people were accessing emergency accommodation in April, an increase of 162 compared to the previous month.
The Journal
3 days ago
- The Journal
Housing minister 'not happy' that affordable homes were priced above threshold for state loans
A REVIEW INTO house prices has been completed and decisions will be made 'rapidly' to make sure costs do not price out homeowners from availing of government's local authority home loan scheme, the housing minister has said. His comments come after the Irish Times reported today that the price of affordable homes at a new state-development in Co. Kildare were above the threshold for new homeowners to avail of the mortgage scheme. The Local Authority Home Loan is open to first-time buyers and fresh start applicants who wish to purchase a new or second-hand property or for self-build. It provides up to 90% of the market value of the property. The maximum loan amount is determined by where the property is located. In Kildare, the local authority has limited the loan scheme to properties priced at €360,000 and under. Three-bed homes at the new estate cost €370,000. Asked about the disparity today, Housing Minister James Browne said he was 'not happy' about it. He said a review he commissioned on the issue was delivered to him yesterday. Advertisement He told reporters in Dublin: 'We'll make a decision on those will be made very rapidly, so we can get that review carried out and finished and get limits increased where they need to be increased. 'But, absolutely, that disparity – I'm not happy with that, and I'm going to have that addressed.' Minister James Browne said he was "not happy" about the disparity. Alamy Alamy Homeowners have previously told The Journal that they found the loan scheme 'restrictive' and that the details of the scheme, which have since been amended, were unclear. The minister said he 'wouldn't be surprised' if other new developments were also above the thresholds set for the home loan scheme, which is why, he said, he commissioned that his department review the issue. Browne said that he wanted to make sure that prices are aligned with the schemes available to families seeking to purchase homes. 'I want to try and get them aligned so that we don't have this type of disparity. I know it causes stress for families – I know one particular family that it cased an awful lot of stress for. 'I don't want that situation to happen. The government is spending record funding on delivering housing, on supporting people to get those homes, so that kind of misalignment – I certainly want to see an end of, and intend to being an end to that.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
