Over 1000 houses could be built on public land in Dundalk-report

Four state/semi state owned sites in Dundalk have been identified as potential locations for affordable and social housing in a report published yesterday by the Land Development Agency (LDA).

The report believes that if the sites were developed, up to 1070 new homes could be delivered in Dundalk. 

The first-of-its-kind, the report is designed to be a coherent guide for stakeholders to understand the potential for state-owned lands and to create a development pipeline of sites for affordable and social housing into the future.

The report notes the sites were chosen and have been assessed based on their potential ability to deliver affordable housing, facilitate the creation of new sustainable communities, and add to existing ones. 

The four sites identified in Dundalk are: the bus depot on the Ardee Road, Land adjacent to Langfied (next to the Louth Hospital), Dundalk Gaol and ESB Networks on the Avenue Road. 

The report states that:

• The 5.7ha site at the bus depot on the Ardee Road, owned by CIE,  could possibly facilitate 330 - 470 homes at a cost of between €107,500,000 - €139,000,000.
• The 2.7ha parcel of land next to the Louth Hospital, owned by the HSE, could yield 150-210 houses at a cost of between €47,750,000 - €64,450,000.
• The 0.9ha site at Dundalk Gaol, owned by Louth Council, could provide 50-70 homes at a cost of between €19,450,000 - €25,000,000. The report also notes that the County archives and Oriel Centre would be retained.
• The 3.0ha site at the ESB Networks on the Avenue Road, could provide 230-320 houses at a cost of between €74,250,000 - €99,850,000.

Total costs include the estimated cost of development and providing relevant infrastructure. 

Commenting on how the sites were identified in Dundalk, the report notes that the population of the town is expected to reach at least 50,000 by 2031 and says:

“A number of opportunities were identified for further consideration as relevant public lands, appropriate for developing housing. This is generally land that scores highest against the criteria.

“The land was selected due to the balance of its characteristics, with preference given to land with potential higher residential yields in central or strategic locations. 

“The current uses and intensity of land use were examined for the appropriateness of relocation of the current use or consolidation in tandem with residential delivery. 

“Land was selected to find a balance across delivery timelines – both early opportunities and land with a longer lead-in to delivery – to facilitate a potential pipeline of housing delivery over time.”

It is also recognised that there are complexities with many of the sites and substantial further work will be required to unlock their potential including engagement with locals. 

It notes: “This process is likely to be complex and any development projects will take varying lengths of time to complete depending on the level of constraints involved. Some of the sites may require rezoning.”

Commenting on the report, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien said:

“This report is a crucial part of the Government’s work to ensure a supply of affordable housing in areas where it is needed most. The LDA has been resourced to plan and deliver affordable homes on state-owned land and this strategic report will enable the Government and my Department to plan ahead. 

“I intend to review the report closely and work with the LDA and the public bodies involved to identify high potential sites that could be prioritised as part of the LDA’s ongoing delivery pipeline.”

Dearbhla Lawson, Head of Strategic Planning in the LDA, said:

“This report identifies the potential to utilise well-located public land to deliver not just affordable housing, but to contribute to the creation of sustainable communities and support the vitality and viability of our cities and towns. 

“It is a strategic approach and important first step in identifying the possibilities for the future use of public land in the public interest. We look forward to engaging with our partners about the potential for public lands to help deliver more affordable housing and sustainable communities into the future.”