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Aoibhin Bryant

Huntstown Power Station Credit: Henry J Lyons Architects

Green light for €87m data centre development at Huntstown Power Station

By | Upcoming Construction Projects

An Bord Pleanála have granted permission to a new €87 million data centre development at Huntstown Power Station, following an appeals process.

The project, proposed by the Energia Group subsidiary, sees the construction of two data buildings on the land in Finglas, Co Dublin.

The data centres will be in collaboration with Microsoft.

The buildings will comprise data hall rooms, mechanical and electrical galleries and other offices, including meeting rooms and workshop spaces.

The building will also feature staff areas such as break rooms, toilets, shower/changing facilities, storage areas, lobbies, outdoor staff areas, loading bays and docks.

The buildings will rise up to three storeys with a gross floor area of C.37,647sqm.

The overall height will not exceed 112m above sea level.

An external plant with 58 emergency generators will be in a generator yard.

Huntstown Power Station. Credit: Henry J Lyons Architects

An Bord Pleanála have granted permission to a new €87 million data centre development at Huntstown Power Station. Credit: Henry J Lyons Architects

To make way for the data centres, the plan sees the demolition of two residential dwellings on the site.

Developers have included provisions for a temporary substation, a water treatment building, seven water storage tanks and two sprinkler tanks.

Existing overhead electricity lines will move underground.

Developers will install security fencing up to 2.4m high and new vehicular entrance from the North Road.

More access will be at the southwest of the site from an existing private road.

Plans are in place for 48 bicycle spaces and 208 parking spaces, including 10 accessible spaces.

A further 20 EV charging spaces and eight motorcycle spaces are envisioned. 

An Bord Pleanála’s Decision

Huntstown Power Company initially put forward plans on August 24 2021.

Permission was initially granted by Fingal County Council in 2022.

However, both heritage body An Taisce and Louth Environment Group had appealed the decision.

In its decision to grant permission, ABP outline that the Government Statement on the Role of Data (July 2022) identified data centres as “core infrastructure”.

They continued that the centres enable the twin transitions of “digitalisation and decarbonisation”.

They pointed to the grid the connection agreement with EirGrid, the Corporate Purchase Power Agreement and the ability to manage electricity demand would meet energy requirements.

The site is also located in the Heavy Industry in the Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029, which “facilitates opportunities for industrial uses, activities and processes which may give rise to land use conflicts if located within other zonings”.

However, the Board found its location outside the M50 meant that it is not located on lands more suitable for employment. These would typically be closer to public transport infrastructure.

An Bord Pleanála granted approval subject to 23 conditions.

Feature Image Credit: Henry J Lyons Architects

Plans Granted for €111m Build To Rent Development on Bailey Gibson site

By | Industry News

An Bord Pleanála has granted permission for the construction of a €111 million Build To Rent development at the former Bailey Gibson site in Dublin.

US property investor Hines requested planning permission to construct 416 new homes on the South Circular Road in Dublin 8.

The development will see the demolition of all buildings and structures on the site to make way for the apartments and houses.

The dwellings will be built across five blocks, with a cumulative gross floor area of 31,117 sq.m.

An Bord Pleanála has granted permission for the construction of a €111 million Build To Rent development at the former Bailey Gibson site in Dublin. Credit: Henry J Lyons

An Bord Pleanála has granted permission for a €111 million Build To Rent development at the former Bailey Gibson site in Dublin. Credit: Henry J Lyons

Four of these blocks, running from two to 16 storeys in height, will host 404 apartments. This includes 19 studios, 252 one-beds and 134 two-beds.

Further plans involve the construction of two two-storey two-bed duplex apartments and six three-storey three-bed triplex apartments.

And the fifth block has provisions for four three-storey four-bed townhouses. Each townhouse will have a car parking space.

All homes will have private amenity space in the form of either balconies or back gardens.

The first block will feature tenant amenities on the ground floor and a concierge office.

Additionally, the second block will allow for a gymnasium, a combined concierge/marketing/coworking space at ground floor and a communal living and kitchen and a residents’ lounge on the first floor level.

The third block will also have a residents’ lounge, connecting to a communal garden.

More communal spaces comprise an open space in the first block, courtyards in the second and fourth block as well as roof terraces on the second and third block.

Developers put forward plans for a childcare facility and a commercial floorspace for a restaurant, café or bar in the second block.

The first block sees additional provisions for commercial floor space to facilitate a wide range of uses. This includes a shop, financial/professional services, health services, community and arts and a bingo hall.

Hines sought permission to build on the Bailey Gibson site in 2020. Credit: Henry J Lyons

Hines originally sought permission to build on the Bailey Gibson site in 2020. Credit: Henry J Lyons

Around 106 car parking spaces, including 10 dedicated disabled parking spaces, will be located at basement level. 

Furthermore, the podium level includes the provision of 12 car parking spaces.

Another 543 long-stay bicycle spaces will be found at the basement and surface level.

In terms of vehicular access, developers will partially realign and widen Rehoboth Place to provide a new carriageway width of 5m for fire and refuse truck access. 

Vehicular access will also be through Rehoboth Place and vehicular exit will go through South Circular Road.

Three pedestrian access points are on South Circular Road, Rehoboth Place and Rehoboth Avenue.

Hines sought permission to build in 2020, alongside another large-scale development on the site of the former Player Wills factory in Dublin.

They faced legal challenges in the interim with progression coming to a standstill in the interim.

Nevertheless, they secured the go-ahead in November 2024. 

Feature Image Credit: Henry J Lyons

Credit: Henry J Lyons

Renewed bid for €68m Office Development at former City Arts Centre in Dublin

By | Industry News

Developers Ventaway Limited have renewed their bid to build a €68 million office development at the former City Arts Centre in Dublin.

After An Bord Pleanala shot down previous plans, the new proposal seeks to construct a building 14 storeys in height. This is a far cry from the initially proposed 24-storey building.

The plan will see the demolition of all existing buildings on site. Structures under a Dangerous Buildings Notice may be demolished before the Council decides.

The building is primarily for office use but will also include an arts centre, a café and an auditorium.

The proposed arts centre will remain on the ground and lower ground floor levels.

Offices will occupy space from the ground to the 13th floor.

A double basement will provide parking spaces, including 11 car parking spaces, 314 bicycle spaces and three motorcycle parking spaces.

Developers Ventaway Limited have renewed their bid to build a €68 million office development at the former City Arts Centre in Dublin. Credit: Henry J Lyons

Developers Ventaway Limited have renewed their bid to build a €68 million office development at the former City Arts Centre in Dublin. Credit: Henry J Lyons

A further 16 short-stay bicycle spaces will be available at ground floor level along the western site boundary.

Although the building will be shorter than previously planned, it will be wider with a gross floor area of 28,569 sq.m, including 910 sq.m. arts centre and 23,501 sq.m. offices;

This is up from the 22,587 sq.m. for office space in the refused plan.

Ventaway first submitted plans for the site in 2022, at 24 storeys it was projected to be Dublin’s tallest building.

However, Dublin City Council refused permission with An Bord Pleanala upholding this decision in 2024.

In their report, the board found that the building would “seriously detract from the setting and character of the Custom House and environs”.

ABP further believed that it would “stand apart as an overly assertive solo building”.

The City Arts Centre

The site has been largely out of use since 2003 when The City Arts Centre vacated the spot.

The organisation was set up in 1973 in response to a growing need for an art and culture centre for working-class teenagers living in the inner-city during a time of economic turmoil.

Although occupying a number of spaces during its lifespan, its Moss Street location was its most prolific.

The band U2 moved into the centre in 1988, providing fully equipped rehearsal spaces for starting-up bands in the basement.

At the time, it was the largest centre of its kind in Ireland.

It was liquidated in 2012.

Feature Image Credit: Henry J Lyons

Permission granted for €91m housing development in Dundalk

By | Industry News

An Bord Pleanala has granted plans to construct over 200 new homes in Dundalk.

Applicants FJ Developments Ltd are looking to build the €91 million large-scale residential development on the Lisdoo townlands in Co Louth.

The project will deliver 205 residential units in total, including 78 houses and 127 apartments.

Dundalk is to welcome 205 new homes in the Lisdoo townlands area.

Dundalk is to welcome 205 new homes in the Lisdoo townlands area. Credit: MRL Architects Ltd

The development will see the construction 66 three-bed semi-detached houses.

These consist of three different types as well as a further four four-bed detached dwellings.

The 127 new apartments will span across six blocks, varying in height of two to five storeys.

The apartments will comprise of 10 one-beds, 113 two-beds and four three-beds.

Credit: MRL Architects Ltd

The 127 new apartments will span across six blocks, varying in height of two to five storeys. Credit: MRL Architects Ltd

Current provisions include a creche on top of both communal and public open space areas with a formal play area.

Plans have also made way for provisions of car parking, bicycle storage points and electric vehicle charging points

Developers will create motor access along the Newry Road and pedestrian and cyclist access on Forkhill Road.

Before work can commence, developers hope to perform site excavation works, encompassing infilling and raising existing ground levels via importing inert material.

Credit: MRL Architects Ltd

Before work can begin, developers hope to perform site excavation works, encompassing infilling and raising existing ground levels via importing inert material. Credit: MRL Architects Ltd

FJ Developments Ltd originally put forward plans in May 2024 with Louth County Council giving the stamp of approval on August 1.

However, the project faced appeals from a number of Dundalk residents.

An Bord Pleanála decided to uphold the county council’s decision in December last year, subject to 25 revised conditions.

Feature Image Credit: MRL Architects Ltd

Credit: PM Group

Green light for €330m Astellas facility in Kerry

By | Upcoming Construction Projects

Kerry County Council has given the green light to Astellas €330 million plan to construct a new production facility.

The pharmaceutical company will build a new three-storey state-of-the-art facility at the IDA’s green-field site Kerry Technology Park near Tralee, Co Kerry.

The project will take place over two phases and will see the construction of a three-storey ‘FillFinish’ production building covering an overall floor area of 19,989 sqm.

A Central Utilies Building with a floor area of 663sqm

In Phase One, a woodchip boiler building, an electrical switch room, a security office building and a sprinkler pump house will all be built.

A wastewater pre-treatment plant with an associated storage tank will begin construction during Phase One. A second storage tank will be built during Phase Two.

Plans were submitted on November 2023 with the council approving on 19 December 2023.

Construction is expected to start later this year, creating an estimated 600 jobs.

Speaking during the announcement of the project, Astellas’ Chief Manufacturing Officer Hideki Shima said that the company “is developing innovative drugs and technologies based on our Focus Area research and development approach, placing patients at the forefront of everything we do.”

“With the new facility, Astellas will aim to strengthen our in-house production capacity and capabilities and ensure a stable supply of high-quality Astellas medicines to patients around the world.”

Michael Lohan, CEO at IDA welcomed the announcement as “excellent news for the South West region and indeed Ireland”.

“Astellas already has a presence in both Kerry and Dublin and this significant investment of approximately €330 million, adding a new state-of-the-art aseptic drug product facility, underscores the strategic importance Ireland plays in Astellas’ global operations.

“The new facility in Tralee will be built with sustainability at its core and will showcase Ireland and our regional attractiveness as a location for investment.”

Feature Image Credit: PM Group

Credit: DWDS

Construction begins on €55m residential development for Drogheda

By | Industry News

Work has started on the €55 million Strategic Housing Development (SHD) on Old Slane Road in Drogheda, Co Louth.

The development, spearheaded by Lagan Homes Ireland Ltd, promises 237 new homes – 86 of which are houses and 151 duplexes and apartments.

Houses will range from one to three storeys with offerings of detached, semi-detached and terraced/townhouses.

In regards to the apartments, they will be hosted in buildings ranging from one to five storeys tall with 19 one-beds, 98 two-beds, 99 three-beds and 21 four-beds.

An Bord Pleanála gave the stamp of approval in February 2022, subject to conditions.

Credit: DWDS

Work has started on the €55 million Strategic Housing Development (SHD) on Old Slane Road in Drogheda, Co Louth. Credit: DWDS

Construction then commenced on November 27 with the erection of 1-7 and 14-30 Gort Mell, Old Slane Road, Drogheda Co Louth.

On December 11, work also began on 8-13 Gort Mell, Old Slane Road, Drogheda Co Louth.

A creche is also set to be built on the site, with the hopes of providing 65 spaces for children.

An undercroft car park will be installed for Apartment Block 5.

Residents will have the option to install photovoltaic/solar panels on the front/rear roof slopes of the buildings, depending on orientation.

Credit: DWDS

The development, spearheaded by Lagan Homes Ireland Ltd, promises 237 new homes – 86 of which are houses and 151 duplexes and apartments. Credit: DWDS

In terms of public open spaces, developers hope to have c.9,240sqm of area for residents, excluding the Mell Stream and the motorway bugger area.

A footpath with public lighting will also be constructed from the northern boundary of the site all along to the southern side – providing pedestrian-only access to the M1 Retail Park.

Feature Image Credit: DWDS

Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Green light for €202m housing development in Ashbourne, Meath

By | Upcoming Construction Projects

An Bord Pleanála has approved a €202 million housing development in Ashbourne.

Arnub Ltd & Aspect Homes Ltd were given the green light to proceed with their plan of delivering hundreds of homes in the townlands of Baltrasna and Milltown, Ashbourne, Co Meath.

In November, the planning body granted permission with 29 conditions.

Among these conditions, ABP ruled that around 185 of the homes (165 number houses and 20 number apartment/duplex units) shall be omitted from the plans – reducing the total residential units from the planned 702 to 517.

Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Arnub Ltd & Aspect Homes Ltd were given the green light to proceed with their plan of delivering hundreds of homes in the townlands of Baltrasna and Milltown, Ashbourne, Co Meath. Credit: 3D Design Bureau

All existing structures will be demolished on the site, including three single-storey dwellings and their associated outbuildings.

In its place, 255 houses and 262 apartments are to be built.

Of the homes, there will be a range of two to three-storey houses, from detached semi-detached and terraces and will offer up to two to five bedrooms.

Meanwhile, the apartments are set to have 18 three-bed duplex units and 244 one, two and three-bed apartments across 20 buildings ranging from three to six storeys.

ABP ruled that both Apartment Block A and Apartment Block B will be reduced in height by a single storey, dropping them down to a maximum of five to three storeys only.

Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Meanwhile, the apartments are set to have 18 three-bed duplex units and 244 one, two and three-bed apartments across 20 buildings ranging from three to six storeys. Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Non-residential amenities will include two childcare care facilities located in Blocks A and A1, four retail units (two in Block A one in Block A1 and another in Block B1), and a GP practice in Block A1.

A hectare of space is also reserved for a future school site and a playing pitch to the west of the site.

A basement-level car park is planned for Block A1 with two undercroft car parks located at Block A and Block B1.

ABP ruled that visitor parking spaces at Unit Type G1 will be omitted and replaced with soft landscaping.

Vehicular access to the development is planned via Cherry Lane off the Dublin Road to the northeast and Hickey’s Lane off the Dublin Road to the east.

Credit: 3D Design Bureau

A pedestrian/bicycle green link access point from Dublin Road (R135) is planned for the site, along with pedestrian and cycle paths throughout the development. Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Roads will be improved along Cherry Lane and Hickey’s Lane as part of the development.

A pedestrian/bicycle green link access point from Dublin Road (R135) is planned for the site, along with pedestrian and cycle paths throughout the development.

Feature Image Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Credit: Model Works

Work begins on €127m housing development in Charlestown, Co Dublin

By | Upcoming Construction Projects

The building of a €127 million housing development in Charlestown, Co Dublin has commenced.

Work began on constructing two apartment blocks (Building A and Building B) as part of an ambitious 590-apartment development in the north corner of the county.

The project, led by Puddenhill Property Limited, will consist of four apartment blocks in total, comprising 234 one-bed units, two-bed units and 40 three-bed units.

Block 1 will measure up to ten storeys high with 211 apartments (91 one-beds, 106 two-beds and 14 three-beds), terraces, balconies and a roof garden.

A retail unit, three office suites and a creche are also planned at the ground and first-floor levels.

Apartments Charlestown

The building of a €127 million housing development in Charlestown, Co Dublin has commenced. Credit: Model Works

Block 2 is smaller at seven storeys, offering 184 apartments ( 57 one-beds, 123 two-beds and four three-beds), also with a roof garden.

A retail unit, an office suite and a health/medical centre are to be constructed at the ground floor.

At eight storeys high, Block 3 promises 95 apartments (54 one-beds, 34 two-beds, and 7 three-beds).

Block 4 is the smallest at six storeys and 100 apartments (32 one-beds, 53 two-beds and 15 three-beds) and a roof garden.

All apartment blocks will be provided with balconies and terraces for residents.

Apartments Charlestown

The project, led by Puddenhill Property Limited, will consist of four apartment blocks in total, comprising 234 one-bed units, two-bed units and 40 three-bed units. Credit: Model Works

Vehicular access to the development will be provided from Charlestown Place. The existing pedestrian access from the Charlestown Shopping Centre will be re-located to align with the pedestrian boulevard on the site.

Around 515 car parking spaces and 1068 cycle parking spaces will be provided at basement and surface levels.

Work on the site officially began on November 30.

An Bord Pleanála (ABP) gave the project the green light on September 21, 2021, after Puddenhill Property Limited submitted plans in May of that year.

Despite the application receiving several objections from Dublin North-West TDs, ABP found that “the proposed development would constitute an acceptable residential density in this urban location, would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area, would be acceptable in terms of urban design, height and quantum of development and would be acceptable in terms of traffic and pedestrian safety and convenience”.

Feature Image Credit: Model Works

Credit: G-Net 3D

Plans applied for €45m housing development on historic site in Limerick

By | Industry News

A planning application has been applied for a €45 million housing development in Limerick.

Developers hope to build the Large-Scale Residential Development (LRD) on the site of the former Ardhú House off Ennis Road.

The project hopes to change the use of the historical Ardhú House from commercial to residential use – demolishing all 20th-century extensions to the front, rear and side.

The protected structure will then be converted into four new apartments.

Developers Tribeca Asset Management Limited also hope to build seven detached two-storey houses on the site.

These will be accessed by an existing entrance on Roses Avenue.

Credit: G-Net 3D

Developers hope to build the Large-Scale Residential Development (LRD) on the site of the former Ardhú House off Ennis Road. Credit: G-Net 3D

The largest component of the development will see the erection of 167 apartments across five apartment blocks.

Varying from three to five storeys each, Block 1 will host 46 apartments with 17 one-beds and 29 two-beds.

Block 2 will be a part four and part five-storey building, comprising a creche with an outdoor play area on the ground floor and 26 apartments from the ground to the fourth floor (12 one-beds, 13 two-beds and one three-bed).

At five storeys, Block 03 will have 24 apartments in total (15 one-beds and nine two-beds).

Of the 44 apartments in Block 04(part four, part five-storey) 26 will be one-beds and 18
will be two-beds.

Finally, Block 05 will be a part three to part five-storey building with 25 apartments (11 one-beds, 14 two-beds) and two duplexes (one one-bed and one three-bed).

Credit: G-Net 3D

The largest component of the development will see the erection of 167 apartments across five apartment blocks. Credit: G-Net 3D

Private balconies/terraces for the apartments are proposed on all elevations for each block.

For Ardhú House, once all non-historic extensions are demolished, a new single-storey glazed extension will be added to the front, as well as another glazed addition to the south of the side wing on the ground floor.

On top of the four new apartments, Ardhú House will be refurbished for other residential amenity uses such as a gym, co-working space and administrative space at ground floor level and a lounge, dining, cinema and games room on the first floor.

Renovating the historic building will involve the removal of some internal walls, internal renovations to walls, ceilings, windows and joinery, repair of facades, repair and renewal of roof fabric and chimneys, repair and renewal of rainwater goods, and all associated conservation works.

Credit: G-Net 3D

For Ardhú House, once all non-historic extensions are demolished, a new single-storey glazed extension will be added to the front, as well as another glazed addition to the south of the side wing on the ground floor. Credit: G-Net 3D

Ancillary works include the relocation of an existing vehicular entrance on Ennis Road 5.5m to the west and the relocation of the vehicular entrances on Roses Avenue to the south.

The existing vehicular entrance on Roses Avenue will be kept to provide pedestrian access and occasional service vehicle access to an ESB Substation and Switchroom only.

The development will also provide 94 car parking spaces, including five accessible spaces, 10 visitor spaces and 19 EV charging spaces.

Public open space and a children’s play area are also planned.

Tribeca Asset Management Limited submitted plans to Limerick City and County Council on 17 November 2023.

Feature Image Credit:G-Net 3D

Feature Image Credit: David Creedon: Feasibility study 2018

Construction begins on €1bn Celtic Interconnector

By | Upcoming Construction Projects

Work has officially on the €1 billion Celtic Interconnector project.

A joint Irish and French effort, the Celtic Interconnector is a planned subsea cable that will link the electricity grids between France and Ireland.

EirGrid has been working with its French equivalent Réseau de Transport d’Electricité (RTE) since 2011 to deliver the project.

Expected to run about 500km in length, it will connect the existing substation in Knockraha, Co Cork to La Martyre in France.

The French electricity cable will run undersea from Brittany, northern France.

It will then make landfall in Youghal and then run mainly along the verge side of the main Cork-Waterford road (N25) into Carrigtwohill and then onto Knockraha, hooking it up to the national grid.

As part of plans, a converter station will be constructed to convert the electricity from High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) to Alternating Current (AC).

The 700-megawatt submarine cable will have enough capacity to power around 450,000 homes.

It is expected to be completed in 2026 with full integration to the grid by 2027.

Providing Ireland with a direct electricity link to the European Union, the cable link is a part of the Offshore Network Development Plan.

Because of this, the European Commission is contributing €530.7 million from the commission’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to help complete the design and delivery of the project.

Contracts for the Celtic Interconnector were signed in November 2022, in Paris.

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan welcomed the initiation of the project.

“The commencement of construction on the Celtic Interconnector project marks an important part of our wider energy ambitions. Increased electricity interconnection will be a key enabler in our growing use of renewable energy will also help lower energy prices and play a central role in Ireland’s journey to a net zero power system,” he said.

“It will also better integrate European electricity markets, and by using more diversified energy markets, this will improve our electricity security and resilience.”

French Energy Minister, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, said the Celtic Interconnector will “increase the security of supply both for Ireland and France and contribute to the decarbonisation of our electricity mixes”.

Feature Image Credit: David Creedon: Feasibility study 2018