LDA benefits from close partnership with local authorities and state agencies

The Land Development Agency (LDA) is the State’s primary channel for the development of cost rental housing with a mission to unlock state land and make more efficient use of it to deliver large-scale affordable housing projects. LDA CEO John Coleman writes.

The LDA is currently active on 12 sites around the country, and has launched an initiative to work with the private sector (Project Tosaigh) to acquire homes for cost rental and affordable purchase to accelerate the short-term delivery of a further 5,000 homes.

Critical to creating new communities in the areas which are most in need of the supply of new affordable housing is our interaction and collaboration with partners across the public sector. From identifying sites, through to the public consultation, master-planning and development phases, our aims will be achieved with close cooperation with city and county councils, approved housing bodies, the Department of Housing, and the range of state agencies who provide land for much-needed development.

The LDA is underpinned by the Land Development Agency Act 2021, which gives us a statutory footing to pursue our goals. The Government has set ambitious targets under Housing for All, and we are pleased to be able to make a contribution to those targets, particularly
when it comes to cost-rental as a new form of tenure in the State.

In the medium term the LDA have set its own target of delivering 1,500 homes per year, this will position us as one of the largest housebuilders in the country and the only one of that scale delivering 100 per cent affordable housing.

Aside from the development of sites on State-owned land, the LDA is progressing Project Tosaigh, a unique initiative to deliver 5,000 new homes by unlocking land in private ownership that has full planning permission but where delivery has stalled due to financing and other constraints. The process is progressing well, and we will shortly be in a position to announce the first set of projects to develop which will begin by Q3 2022.

The LDA has also recently made significant progress on its longer-term pipeline with the submission of four planning applications (Dundrum, Balbriggan, Skerries, and Naas) that will, if approved, deliver over 2,300 homes in schemes that will be 100 per cent affordable and social housing.

In Shanganagh, south County Dublin, construction will commence later this year on the State’s largest affordable housing scheme to date, with 597 new homes planned. This will kick off what we believe will be the most significant and sustained construction of affordable housing by the State for decades.

LDA projects

Shanganagh: Planning has been approved and a tender process is in place to appoint a contractor for the construction of 597 social and affordable homes on the LDA’s first project at Shanganagh, County Dublin.

Dundrum Central: An SHD planning application has been lodged with An Bord Pleanála for 977 new social and affordable homes.

Cork City Docklands: A delivery office has been established for the redevelopment of Cork City Docklands in partnership with Cork City Council. The 146-hectare site is capable of accommodating circa 25,000 people in what will be Ireland’s largest regeneration project.

Devoy Barracks, Naas: The LDA has submitted a revised planning application in recent months to deliver 219 new homes on the Devoy Barracks site in Naas, County Kildare.

Castlelands, Balbriggan: Planning has been submitted for the delivery of 817 cost rental and affordable homes for purchase on a greenfield site overlooking the Irish Sea in north Dublin.

Design image of St Kevin’s in Cork where the LDA has permission to build 265 new homes.

Hacketstown, Skerries: The LDA has submitted a planning application seeking to build 345 homes in Hacketstown. The LDA worked with the Housing Agency and Fingal County Council on the vision for the Hacketstown site.

Colbert Station, Limerick: A Draft Spatial Framework for the Colbert Quarter has been completed to inform the rejuvenation of this circa 70-hectare site, which will deliver an enhanced city living experience including some 2,500 homes, offices and mixed uses in a prime city centre location.

Sandy Road, Galway: Plans for 1,000 new homes are in progress on an eight-hectare site at Sandy Road in Galway City in collaboration with a range of local stakeholders including Galway City and County Councils, Galway Education and Training Board and Galway Bay FM.

Donore Project, Dublin 8: The LDA is partnering with Dublin City Council on plans to build around 540 social and affordable homes on the site of the former St Teresa’s Gardens flat complex in Dublin 8.

Pear Tree Crossing, Dublin 8: The LDA has begun the master planning phase for the delivery of affordable homes on The Digital Hub lands in Dublin’s Liberties. The development of a draft masterplan has commenced on the 3.72-hectare site with potential for mixed tenure affordable homes and opportunities for commercial, cultural, and community facilities.

St Kevin’s, Cork: Planning permission approved for the construction of 265 homes, an enterprise centre and creche facilities at the former St Kevin’s Hospital site in Shanakiel, Cork. Enabling works will commence in the coming months.

Key People:  John Coleman, Chief Executive of the Land Development Agency. John Coleman – Chief Executive Dearbhla Lawson – Head of Strategic Planning Omar Bhamjee – Head of Finance Phelim O’Neill – Head of Property Barry O’Brien – Head of Investment Rose Kenny – Head of Corporate Services John White – Head of Construction

W: www.lda.ie