Planning permission has been granted for the development of 543 homes on the former St. Teresa’s Gardens site in Dublin’s south inner city.

The project, being developed in partnership by the Land Development Agency (LDA) and Dublin City Council (DCC), is set to deliver 154 social and 389 cost-rental homes.

The successful planning application follows an extensive public consultation process and the plans include a number of community spaces and facilities. It means the LDA now has planning permission for over 3,500 homes on various State-owned sites, some of which are already under construction.

The St. Teresa’s Gardens site is located off Donore Avenue in Dublin 8, adjacent to the historic Liberties. The site covers an area of 1.74 hectares (4.3 acres) and the new homes will be located next to Dublin City Council’s own development of 54 social homes on Margaret Kennedy Road, which were also built on part of the former St. Teresa’s Gardens lands.

Dublin City Council and the LDA have worked together to develop a mix of accommodation types, comprising 225 x 1-bedroom apartments, 274 x 2-bedroom apartments and 44 x 3-bedroom apartments. The project will form part of a comprehensive and ongoing plan to create a sustainable and integrated community in this area.  The approved plans feature arts, culture and community spaces including a creche, cafe/retail unit and mobility hub.

In tandem with the semi-private open spaces for residents, the development will deliver public open spaces and recreational facilities designed to complement neighbouring developments. The Donore Project Park sits at the heart of the development, opening new routes between Donore Avenue, South Circular Road and Cork Street. The public realm will be designed to encourage active lifestyles, to support resident wellbeing and provide urban greening.

John Coleman, Chief Executive of the LDA said: “This is fantastic news and will add significantly to the LDA’s growing delivery pipeline. I would like to thank Dublin City Council for partnering with us on what is going to be an exciting new development at the heart of the South Inner City. These homes will form a key part of wider redevelopment plans for the area and we look forward to getting construction underway.

“For the LDA, this marks another milestone. We now have planning permission for more than 3,500 direct-build homes and we are in the process of delivering another 5,000 through our Project Tosaigh initiative. This development will deliver social and affordable housing where it is needed most and will showcase the real impact the LDA can make, especially when working in partnership with local authorities and state bodies.”

Dave Dinnigan, Dublin City Council’s Director of Housing Delivery, said: “Dublin City Council welcomes this planning decision by An Bord Pleanála, which will deliver 543 high-quality homes on this site. We acknowledge the work of the LDA in collaboration with DCC in reaching this important milestone.”

Follow Irish building magazine on LinkedIn for the latest news and updates