Irish Independent

Planning for 4,000 homes to be decided within weeks under fast-track system

- Ronald Quinlan Commercial Property Editor

FAST-TRACK planning applicatio­ns for the developmen­t of more than 4,000 homes will be decided within weeks.

An Bord Pleanála has confirmed it will rule before April on proposals for 11 new housing schemes located across Dublin, Kildare, Cork and Galway.

The houses and apartments were the subject of applicatio­ns made by developers between September 22 and January 5 under the Government’s temporary fast-track planning applicatio­n process.

The system, signed into law by Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy, allows developers seeking permission for large-scale residentia­l schemes of 100 housing units or more to bypass local authoritie­s, and apply directly to An Bord Pleanála.

The first decision under the Strategic Housing Developmen­t (SHD) scheme is due on January 22 and relates to an applicatio­n by Park Developmen­ts chief Michael Cotter’s company, Viscount Securities.

It is for 927 new homes within the second phase of the Clay Farm scheme in Leopardsto­wn, south Co Dublin.

Should Viscount’s applicatio­n get the green light from the board, it would see the delivery of an extra 365 houses and 562 apartments at Clay Farm.

Elsewhere, former Kerry-based estate agent Pat Crean’s Marlet Property Group is expected to receive a decision by April 18 on its applicatio­n for 419 apartments and a house on the site of CIÉ’s former lands at Carlough Road in Cabra.

This is part of an overall “Dublin Living” project that is expected to see 1,205 apartments built across four sites in Cabra, Harold’s Cross and on the Naas Road.

Marlet is separately awaiting a ruling from An Bord Pleanála on an applicatio­n for 536 new homes on lands near to St Paul’s College in Raheny, Dublin.

Harcourt Developmen­ts chief Pat Doherty’s applicatio­n for 526 new homes on a site in Saggart, Dublin, is due for decision on April 20.

The proposed Fortunesto­wn developmen­t would see the delivery of 459 houses and 67 apartments on lands adjacent to the Cuil Duin housing estate.

Outside of Dublin, developer Michael O’Flynn is awaiting a decision from An Bord Pleanála on the O’Flynn Group’s applicatio­n for 608 new homes at Ballinglan­na in Glanmire, Co Cork. The proposed scheme comprises 496 h ouses and 112 apartments and is due for determinat­ion on April 19.

Leixlip in Co Kildare, meanwhile, will be in line for 450 new homes with the proposed Barn Hall scheme on the Celbridge Road, with 350 houses and 100 apartments.

Two fast-track applicatio­ns in Galway are due to be decided on in the coming months – 113 houses in Bearna, and 128 houses in Tuam.

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