Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
757. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason for the delay in the delivery of housing on a site (details supplied); the reason local residents' proposals were ignored; and the timescale for the commencement of the development. [32396/18]
View answerThe site at Oscar Traynor Road is one of three significant residential sites being brought forward by Dublin City Council under its Housing Land Initiative (HLI), the aim of which is to ensure the delivery of mixed-tenure homes within the City Council area. All three sites under the HLI are identified as Strategic Development and Regeneration Areas (SDRA) within the Dublin City Development Plan 2016-2022.
Mixed-tenure developments are an important policy objective in Rebuilding Ireland and uphold the principle of sustainable mixed communities, where housing needs are not subject to rigid segregation, based on income levels. They also provide an opportunity to see major sites developed more quickly, and integrated into existing communities and areas.
Oscar Traynor Road is a major 17-hectare greenfield site with the potential to yield 640 mixed-tenure homes and the elected members of the City Council have determined that the homes will be provided on the basis of a 30% social, 20% affordable, and 50% private tenure-mix.
The land is being brought to market by the Council on a competitive tendering basis, with a view to leveraging its value to deliver the optimal number of units. The aim is to identify the best qualified economic operator to work in collaboration with the Council to identify the optimal solution for the site, in accordance with the City Development Plan 2016 - 2022; the Oscar Traynor Road Feasibility Study, which has been approved by the elected members; and any other Council requirements; and to deliver it as efficiently as possible.
As regards input from the local community, while there is no formal, statutory requirement to establish a consultative forum as part of overall governance, Dublin City Council considers it best practice to engage with local stakeholders, both before the project concept has been determined and as the development progresses. In this regard, I understand that a Community Consultative Forum for the Oscar Traynor Road project has been inaugurated, meets regularly and is working well. This community engagement should provide a forum to discuss and resolve local concerns and have a strong information exchange component.
This is a significant multi-million priority housing project for the City Council and it is progressing through the necessary procurement. I understand that the City Council is targeting the awarding of the contract by June 2019. My Department and I remain committed to working with Dublin City Council to ensure that the mixed-tenure community planned on what is a key site for the sustainable development of Dublin City is delivered effectively in the shortest possible timeframe.
