Industry News

Jun 23

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Permission granted for £54.5 million development in Newry

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

A £54.5 million residential development has received the go-ahead in Newry.

Lotus Homes will build 176 new homes at Doran’s Hill in Co Down after securing planning approval.

This is Phase 2 of the developer’s Watsons Fort project. The first phase delivered 22 homes, including three-, four- and five-bedroom detached and semi-detached houses, as well as two-bedroom apartments.

The 176 new homes will feature sunrooms, landscaping and open green spaces.

The plans also include road upgrades, with a new roundabout set to realign Doran’s Hill and Watsons Road.

Lotus Homes submitted the plans in February 2025, and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council approved them in June.

They welcomed the council’s decision.

“Lotus Homes is delighted to announce that planning approval has now been granted for Phase 2 of our highly sought-after Watsons Fort development in Newry,” they said in a statement.

“Following the strong interest and success of Phase 1, this important milestone marks the next chapter in the growth of Watsons Fort, bringing a new selection of thoughtfully designed homes to one of Newry’s most desirable residential locations.”

The developer will announce further details, including house types, pricing and release dates, in the coming weeks.

Feature Image Credit: Kevin Cartin Architects (KCA) Ltd

May 21

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Water-Rock in Cork to see 452 new homes in €105m development

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

Developer Sean Walsh has lodged plans to build over 452 new homes in a €105 million development in Water-Rock, County Cork.

The developer is looking to build the homes near the town of Midleton.

The plans include the construction of 219 houses and 233 apartments.

The houses will rise to two storeys and consist of 17 detached, 120 semi-detached and 82 terraced units.

Of the detached houses, 14 will be four-beds and three will be three-beds. In relation to the semi-detached houses, 104 are four-beds and 16 are three-beds.

The plans include apartments comprising 99 duplexes across 20 three-storey blocks and 134 apartments in four three- to five-storey blocks.

There will be 42 three-bed, 15 two-bed and 42 one-bed duplexes.

Of the apartments, there are plans for 74 two-beds, 32 one-beds and 28 studios.

The proposal includes provisions for two communal rooms in Block C and Block E of the apartments. Other outdoor amenity areas will be located along the Glounamuck Stream.

The plan provides vehicular access from two entrances off Water-Rock Road to Site B. Another entrance to Site A will be just off the Carrigtwohill to Midleton Inter-Urban Cycleway. As part of this, the plans include both pedestrian and cycling access to the south of Site A.

In 2020, Cork County Council zoned Water Rock as an area to provide 2,500 new homes for around 6,000 residents.

Developer Sean Walsh submitted plans in April 2026.

A decision by Cork County Council is set for May 26, 2026.

Feature Image Credit: G-Net 3D

Apr 14

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Galway City Ring Road gets go-ahead

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

The Galway City Ring Road has received the green light from An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Over 25 years on from its initial genesis, Galway County Council received notification of the decision on April 9.

The government has pledged €1 billion for the N6 Galway City Outer Ring Road in its National Development Plan.

The proposed 18-kilometre road would run from the M6 motorway from the east of the city to the west of the village of Bearna.

It can now proceed to the next phase of the project – The Enabling and Procurement stage. This includes detailed design, preparation of contract documentation and the procurement process.

Galway City Council hailed the road as “a core component of the wider transport solution” for both the city and county.

Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, welcomed the news and described it as a significant milestone.

“This is a really important and positive step forward for Galway. The Outer Ring Road has been talked about for many years, and to now have planning permission in place brings a much-needed level of clarity and momentum to the project,” he said.

“This is a major piece of infrastructure that has the potential to transform traffic movement around Galway, reduce congestion, and support the future growth and development of the city and surrounding areas.”

Minister Canney acknowledged that it has been a “long and difficult process” for families and people affected by the proposed route.

“The Government is fully supportive of this project, and funding has been provided for it under the National Development Plan Sectoral Plan for Transport. That commitment is crucial in ensuring we can now move from planning to delivery.”

Decades of delays and deliberations

Designed to tackle chronic congestion, an outer city bypass was first proposed in 1999.

In 2008, An Bord Pleanála approved plans for the €17 million Galway City Outer Bypass project. This permission was then quashed in 2011.

Fast forward to 2018, Galway City Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland put forward an application for the Galway City Ring Road.

It initially secured approval in 2021. However, the High Court rescinded this permission after ABP said it had not considered the State’s Climate Action Plan when granting approval.

Feature Image Credit: ARUP

Apr 07

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Permission Sought for 523 New Homes in Castletroy, Limerick

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

Developers Columbia Estates Management are looking to build 523 new homes in the Limerick city suburb of Castletroy.

The €138 million development seeks to build the apartments on the Monaleen Road.

If approved, construction can begin on 214 2-3-storey residential units, comprising 10 two-beds and 204 three-beds.

Plans see the provision of 309 apartments across 10 apartment blocks, ranging from four to five storeys in height.

These include 159 one-beds, 141 two-beds and nine three-beds.

Developers Columbia Estates Management are looking to build 523 new homes in the Limerick city suburb of Castletroy. Credit: Digital Dimensions

There will also be a creche at the ground level of one of the apartment buildings, alongside an outdoor play space.

Car parking will be available at surface level with a combination of both in-curtilage and one-street.

Apartment blocks 6 through 9 will have parking in the basement. Plans also see both electric vehicle charge points and bicycle storage.

Limerick Apartments Castletroy Digital Dimensions

Plans see the provision of 309 apartments across 10 apartment blocks, ranging from four to five storeys in height. Credit: Digital Dimensions

In addition to the residential dwellings, the site will also host open space areas, residential communal open spaces, as well as private gardens and amenity spaces.

Developers also hope to provide an entrance from the Monaleen Road for vehicles and the Dublin Road for pedestrians.

Columbia Estates Management put forward their application to Limerick County Council in early March this year.

Feature Image Credit: Digital Dimensions

Mar 16

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Work begins on €96m residential development in Stillorgan

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

Work has begun on a €96 million residential development in Stillorgan, Co Dublin.

Developers Cairn Homes have commenced work at the former Blakes and Esmonde Motors site with the construction of two apartment blocks over basement. The buildings are to range from six to eight storeys, with the ground floor providing a creche and an ESB substation.

An Coimisiún Pleanála approved the scheme in March last year, which is set to deliver 377 new apartments.

As “Build To Rent” BTR apartments, developers will build the homes along six different buildings, ranging from three to nine storeys.

Developers Cairn Homes have commenced work at the former Blakes and Esmonde Motors site in Stillorgan, which is set to deliver 377 new apartments. Credit: O’Mahony Pike Architects

Build To Rent Apartments in Stillorgan

Building 01 (3–7 storeys over basement) will provide 77 apartments, including 13 studios, 30 one-beds, 33 two-beds and one three-bedroom unit. The ground floor will also include a 215 sq. m creche with a dedicated play area.

Building 02 (3–8 storeys over basement) will contain 95 apartments — seven studios, 57 one-beds, 24 two-beds, and seven three-beds.

Meanwhile, Building 03 (7–9 storeys over part basement) will include 54 apartments, 18 one-beds and 36 two-beds, along with a 195 sq. m office space.

Building 04 (7 storeys over basement) will deliver 60 apartments, consisting of 42 one-beds and 18 two-bedroom homes.

Furthermore, the ground floor of Building 03 and 04 will host Residents’ Support Facilities.

Building 05 (6–7 storeys) will include 62 residential units (one studio, 26 one-beds and 35 two-beds) alongside several restaurant and café spaces at ground and lower ground levels. This building will also feature a double-height Community Sports Hall.

Building 06 (5–6 storeys) will provide 29 apartments (16 one-beds and 13 two-beds), and additional restaurant and café units at street and plaza level.

Developers also look to create open space areas and bring improvements to the public realm with footpaths and cycle paths along the Lower Kilmacud Road. ‘The Hill’ is also seeing a widening to its footpath and two vehicular access points.

Cairn Homes originally submitted plans in April 2022.

Feature Image Credit: Model Works

Feb 23

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Glenveagh Homes seeks permission for €103m residential development in north Dublin

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

Developers Glenveagh Homes are seeking permission to construct 815 new homes in Balbriggan, Co Dublin.

They have applied for a 10-year planning permission for the €103 million development of a Large-Scale Residential Development (LRD) at a site to the south of Flemington Lane, just outside the north Dublin town.

The proposal replace a previously permitted LRD on the site.

The new development has 610 houses, 194 apartments and 11 later living developments.

The houses comprise of 318 two-beds at two storeys, 254 three-beds at two storeys and 38 four-beds at three storeys.

Glenveagh Homes. Credit: 3D Design Bureau

They have applied for a 10-year planning permission for the €103 million development of a Large-Scale Residential Development (LRD) at a site to the south of Flemington Lane, just outside the north Dublin town. Credit: 3D Design Bureau

The apartments will be built across five buildings, ranging from three to five storeys, with 52 studios, 87 one-beds, 51 two-beds, and four three-beds.

The later-living houses will be single-storey two-beds with associated communal open space.

Developers also wish to build a two-storey community pavilion and a retail unit on the ground floor of one of the apartment blocks.

The development will have two two-storey creches.

The apartments will be built across five buildings, ranging from three to five storeys, with 52 studios, 87 one-beds, 51 two-beds, and four three-beds. Credit: 3D Design Bureau

The site will extend a portion of the ‘C-Ring Road’ from Flemington Lane to link to the existing R122 roundabout. Provisions include junctions, footpaths, cycle paths and bus stops.

To make way for the new residents, provisions are in place for 1,037 car parking spaces and 1,114 bicycle parking spaces.

Plans include 5.26 hectares of open space.

Developers Glenveagh Homes submitted their planning application to Fingal County Council in December last year.

Feature Image Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Feb 10

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Pedersen Focus (3D Architectural Visualisation)

Plans applied for €135m residential development for Jacob’s Island, Cork

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

Developers Hibernia Star Ltd are looking to build a €135 million residential development for Jacob’s Island in Co Cork.

They seek to build 556 apartments across four blocks, ranging from nine to 11 storeys.

Of the apartments, these include 150 one-beds, 402 two-beds, one three-bed and three three-bed duplexes.

Across the blocks, block 11 will range from one to eight storeys with 164 apartments. Block 12 will have a height of three to nine storeys with 51 apartments. Meanwhile, Block 14, at four to seven storeys, will host 140 apartments. And Block 15 will have 201 apartments across five to eight storeys.

All buildings will provide bicycle parking, car parking, substation, bin store, and plant rooms.

Developers Hibernia Star Ltd are looking to build a €135 million residential development for Jacob’s Island in Co Cork, delivering 556 new homes to the area. Credit Pedersen Focus (3D Architectural Visualisation)

Infrastructural Upgrades at Jacob’s Island

In order to make way for new residents, developers also look to bring infrastructural upgrades to Long Shore Avenue and the Mahon Interchange. This includes additional lanes, upgraded road parkings and new footpaths and cycle paths.

There is plans to introduce an additional flare traffic lane on N40 Slip Road on the Mahon interchange, as well as the removal of a central median to improve swept paths.

In order to make way for new residents, developers also look bring infrastructural upgrades to Long Shore Avenue and the Mahon Interchange. This includes additional lanes, upgraded road parkings and new footpaths and cycle paths. Credit: Pedersen Focus (3D Architectural Visualisation)

On the Jacob’s Island side, another central median would be removed to make way for a bus lane and shared pedestrian or cycle paths.

On Long Shore Avenue, there is provisions for additional crossings and the modification of the existing roundabout.

Plans include hard and soft landscaping, boundary treatments, and the installation of a noise attenuation screen along the north-east of the site.

Developers put forward plans to Cork City Council at the end of January this year.

Feature Image Credit: Pedersen Focus (3D Architectural Visualisation)

Jan 30

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Permission granted for 252 new homes in €80m Blackrock development

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has given the green light for 252 new homes at a €80 million new development in Blackrock.

Cairn Homes Properties sought permission to build a mixed residential development at a site in Chesterfield, Cross Avenue.

The plans see the construction of 236 apartments and 16 houses on the 2.77ha site.

The apartments will be across two blocks, ranging in height from 5 to 8 storeys over a basement. These include 43 one-beds, 137 two-beds and 56 three-beds, all with private amenity space. Plans see 16 five-bedroom terrace houses.

Provisions are in place for the construction of a childcare facility with an outdoor secure play area.

Residential amenities also include a gym, a yoga room, a meeting room, a resident’s lounge, as well as kitchen and bathroom facilities.

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has given the green light for 252 new homes at a €80 million new development in Blackrock. Credit: Model Works

Developers look to start a realignment and enlargement of the existing on-site ornamental pond for surface water attenuation.

They will demolish two existing shed structures on the site.

There will also be the installation of infrastructure along Cross Avenue to facilitate connections to the potable water supply at Cross Avenue and Booterstown Avenue.

Cairns Homes Properties originally submitted plans for the site in 2019.

Last year An Coimisún Pleanála refused permission for 355 build-to-rent apartments on the site,

Revised plans were submitted in August 2026, with permission granted in January of this year.

Credit: Model Works

Dec 03

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Commencement of €62m Development in Ratoath, Co Meath

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

Construction has commenced on a €62.3 million residential development in Ratoath, Co Meath, which will deliver 130 homes to the area.

Work began on a three-storey residential block comprising of six duplexes and six apartments.

Construction also started on the shell and core works of a creche.

Meath County Council granted permission for the development on 18 Dec 2024.

Developers Marshall Yards Development Company Limited had plans for the construction of 117 houses. This includes 57 two-beds, 52 three-beds, seven four-beds and one five-bed. It also included 24 maisonette duplex units (18 one-beds and six three-beds).

Construction has commenced on a €62.3 million residential development in Ratoath, Co Meath, which will deliver 130 homes to the area. Credit: John Fleming Architect

It also sees the demolition of two dwellings on the site and an agricultural shed.

At 5.48 hectares in total, the site is situated at Main Street and Ballybin Road in Ratoath.

Fox Lodge Woods and Fox Lodge Manor border the site to the west and north, with existing agricultural lands and residential developments to the north and east.

Developers wish to demolish the existing five-arm roundabout and replace it with a four-arm junction.

This new junction will facilitate a realignment of the southern section of the existing Ballybin Road. This road will act as the northern arm of the new junction.

Developers initially sought to build over 140 homes for the area in Ratoath, but reduced it to 130 after requests for further information. Credit: John Fleming Architect

There will be a revised entrance for the existing dwelling to the north-east of the site at Ballybin Road.

Developers initially sought to build over 140 homes for the area, but reduced it to 130 after requests for further information.

While Meath County Council gave the green light to the development, residents appealed this decision.

An Coimisiún Pleanála, previously known as An Bord Pleanála, upheld the decision for the site.

Feature Image Credit: John Fleming Architects

Nov 06

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LDA puts forward plans for €34m development in Anglesea Terrace, Cork

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

The Land Development Agency has put forward plans to proceed with a €34 million residential development in Anglesea Terrace in Cork city.

The site looks to deliver 147 new apartments in total in one block.

This includes 72 one-beds and 75 two-beds. Of the 147, 132 will be cost-rental, and 15 will be social homes.

The block will vary from four to 16 storeys at its tallest point.

The development will feature three retail units: one for a cafe or restaurant and two for office or retail use.

Residents will enjoy an external courtyard for communal open space, a linear western park, and a rooftop terrace on the seventh floor.

The Land Development Agency has put forward plans to proceed with a €34 million residential development in Anglesea Terrace in Cork city. Credit: Henry J Lyons Architects

The LDA hopes to upgrade the footpaths at Old Station Road and build an eastern pedestrian link along the South Link Road. On top of that, provisions are in place for a delivery area at Anglesea Terrace.

Subject to planning permission, construction could begin as early as 2027. First homes are expected by 2030.

“Much needed affordable housing”

This is part 8 of the LDA’s plans to deliver homes across Cork.

John Coleman, Chief Executive of the Land Development Agency, welcomed the partnership with Cork City Council to deliver “much needed affordable housing in the heart of Cork City”.

“Anglesea Terrace is a fantastic site with great potential. Our vision is to turn this underutilised brownfield site into high quality affordable housing that can act as a catalyst for rejuvenation in the local community and create positive societal impact for Cork City.”

Valerie O’Sullivan, Chief Executive of Cork City Council said the development “demonstrates the welcome and growing demand for city living in Cork”.

“This project has the capacity to create a desirable, vibrant and well-connected neighbourhood for the people of Cork.”

Feature Image Credit: Henry J Lyons Architects

Decades of delays and deliberations

Build To Rent Apartments in Stillorgan

Infrastructural Upgrades at Jacob’s Island

“Much needed affordable housing”

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