Sod turning marks the start of construction of over 850 new homes

Dublin City Council hosted a sod turning ceremony to mark the start of the first phase of construction of over 850 new homes at Oscar Traynor Woods in Coolock.

The site is being developed through a landmark partnership between Dublin City Council and Glenveagh that will deliver 40% social housing, 40% cost rental and 20% affordable housing.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD and Chief Executive, Dublin City Council, Richard Shakespeare hosted the ground-breaking ceremony. The event was also attended by representatives from Glenveagh and Dublin City Council.

All the homes in Oscar Traynor Woods will be A-rated and highly energy-efficient, generating huge savings on heating bills for homeowners into the future.

The Oscar Traynor Woods development will contain a wide range of home types, ranging from 1-bed to 4-bed and a range of communal facilities including a community centre, a childcare facility and high-quality communal open spaces including public park space, play areas, cycle trails, woodlands, allotments and landscaped areas.

These amenities will be available both to residents of the new development and to the wider community in the Oscar Traynor Road and Coolock area.

The cost-rental homes will be offered to qualifying tenants at a significant discount to prevailing market rents in the locality, while the affordable purchase homes will be priced at a significant discount to similar homes.

The first homes in the development are scheduled for completion in quarter 4, 2024.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O'Brien said, ““With Government funding of in excess of €100 million, this project really underscores the Housing for All commitment to deliver social and affordable housing at scale. Oscar Traynor Road is a key strategic site and this day has been a long time coming. The large number of social and affordable homes to be delivered here will make a real difference. We are now in a position that we have a number of such sites, Shanganagh Castle and O’Devaney Gardens for example, and as a Government, we need to and we want to deliver more developments like these, right across the country.”

Glenveagh CEO Stephen Garvey said: “This is an exciting development that builds on our existing partnerships with public sector entities and social housing bodies. It demonstrates Glenveagh’s ability to deliver sustainable, affordable homes through a wide range of channels for owner-occupiers, renters, and people who need social and affordable housing.

We are proud to work with Dublin City Council to deliver over 850 new homes in addition to a range of community facilities, green spaces and high-quality recreational areas. This is a significant step as we are bringing much-needed supply of new homes to Coolock and the wider locality and we look forward to working with our partners to bring this development to completion successfully.”

Dublin City Council CEO Richard Shakespeare said: “I am delighted today that Dublin City Council in partnership with Glenveagh is breaking ground on Oscar Traynor Woods ushering in a new era with over 850 homes. These A-rated, energy-efficient homes, ranging from 1 to 4 beds, come with communal facilities, a community centre, childcare facility, and extensive green spaces. This development embodies our vision for an inclusive and interconnected city. I am excited about the positive impact it will have on the lives of our residents and the wider Coolock community.”

Welcoming the development, the Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste said: “TheOscar Traynor Woods development will deliver essential new homes as well as amenities to Coolock and the surrounding areas of Santry, Beaumont, and Kilmore.I am delighted to see that 20 per cent of the overall site will be designated as public space, with public parks and biodiverse green spaces, allotments, woodlands, cycle trails, and play areas. This will further enhance not only the area but the lives of the people who are fortunate to live here."

Cllr. Alison Gilliland, Chair of the Dublin City Council Housing SPC, said: “Today is a major landmark for these lands as we finally see their potential for an inclusive and integrated residential development beginning to be realised. In fact this development will also be a beautiful place to live with high quality energy efficient homes, many pocket parks, community spaces and amenities including a superb community centre.

This development will make a difference to those seeking social, cost rental and affordable purchase homes. Our strong working partnership with Glenveagh on this development underpins this successful start and I've no doubt going forward that this time next year we will be celebrating the completion of the first phase of the development and handing over keys to new families.”