Category

Upcoming Construction Projects

Jul 15
0
MetroLink

Planning application for MetroLink to be brought forward to An Bord Pleanala in September

By | Upcoming Construction Projects

The Government has confirmed that a planning application for the long-awaited MetroLink will be lodged with An Bord Pleanala in the coming months.

Last week, Green Party leader and Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan secured agreement from the Cabinet to proceed with the MetroLink rail project.

The sponsoring agency for the project, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), is now set to put forward a Railway Order planning application to An Bord Pleanala in September.

The project could commence construction as early as late 2025 with hopes that it would be operational in the early 2030s.

The fully automated underground rail system will be the first of its kind in the country, with Ireland currently being one of the only European countries without a metro.

At 19.4 kilometres in length, the proposed route will span from north county Swords to Charlemont, south of the City Centre.

Metrolink September

Artist’s impression of the station serving St. Stephen’s Green. Credit: Courtesy of gov.ie

Stations are planned for Dublin Airport, the City Centre as well as serving residential communities in Swords, Ballymun and Glasnevin.

Stations will have connections to Irish Rail, DART lines, Luas services as well as bus and BusConnects services.

Current forecasts indicate that trains will run every three minutes at peak times with the system able to carry up to 20,000 passengers per hour.

By 2060, this could rise to trains every 90 seconds.

A final project cost has yet to be devised as the project must still go through planning and procurement stages.

However, current predictions see a cost of €9.5 billion – the midpoint scenario of a €7.16 billion and €12.25 billion cost range.

The Exchequer will front three-quarters of the cost and one quarter will be paid by the Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Speaking on the decision, Minister Ryan hailed the MetroLink as a “ once in a generation project” that will “massively transform” public transport in Ireland’s capital.

“This project in various guises has been on the table now for 2 decades, but the government’s decision on the MetroLink Preliminary Business Case marks a significant milestone. Now this exciting transport megaproject starts to become a reality,’ he said.

Metrolink September

Artist’s impression of MetroLink station serving Collins Avenue. Pic: Courtesy of gov.ie

“We are giving the green light to a transport system that will be integral to the city and the country’s sustainable development in this century, and into the next.”

He iterated that the project is “hardwired” to Ireland’s current climate ambitions with the system set to provide over 1 billion carbon neutral passenger trips by 2050.

“It will contribute to a shift from the private car to more sustainable travel, helping to decarbonise the transport sector in line with government policy,” Minister Ryan continued.

“I’m delighted that the government has agreed with my recommendation to proceed with the project, and I look forward to it entering the statutory planning stage this September.”

Anne Graham, Chief Executive of the National Transport Authoirty (NTA), said that the MetroLink will “encourage more people to get out of their cars and on to public transport.”

In the opposition camp, Sinn Féin spokesperson for Trade Darren O’Rourke welcomed the project’s announcement but called on Minister Ryan to explain the project’s “ballooning cost”.

Metrolink September

Artist’s impression of MetroLink station serving Tara Street. Credit: Courtesy of gov.ie

“We need assurances that this project will now be finally delivered on budget and on time, and ahead of schedule if possible,” he said.

“I am concerned about the massive cost escalation for this project already. The original National Development Plan 2018-2027 estimated this would cost €3 billion.

“Today the government are saying it could cost up to €12.25 billion; over quadruple that previous estimate. Construction inflation is pushing up the cost of projects across the board, but not at a rate of over 300%.”

Jun 28
0

New £25 million hotel in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter gets green light from council

By | Upcoming Construction Projects

Belfast City Council has approved the development of a £25 million hotel in the city’s Cathedral Quarter.

The 164-bed hotel is set to be erected from the former Nambarrie Tea Factory building on the corner of Waring Street and Victoria Street.

The plan will see a three-storey extension to the old factory, which will include a rooftop “sky” bar.

A ground-floor restaurant, a fitness room and meeting rooms are also included in the current plans.

The hotel is backed by Essex-based investment company Propiteer.

The £25 million investment will be a Moxy hotel, a sub-group of the Merriot Hotel brand.

Propiteer’s website states that the Moxy will bring “Marriott International’s contemporary brand to the historic Cathedral Quarter of Northern Ireland’s capital city”.

“Following the acquisition of the old Nambarrie tea factory in Belfast, a prominent building in the city centre, Propiteer have worked closely with city councillors and the planning department to sympathetically retain structural elements of the existing building, whilst designing a unique seven storey hotel reflective of its cultural surroundings.”

It also promises that the ground floor will be designed to accommodate live music.

The Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee approved the proposal unanimously at their meeting on June 14.

In the council’s Professional Planning Report, it was found that the “three-storey extension was considered acceptable following key design changes to minimise its impact on the character and appearance of the host building, setting of adjacent listed buildings and the conservation area”.

Their backing comes despite objections from the owners of the nearby Merchant hotel on Skipper Street.

According to the Belfast Telegraph, owners Beannchor put forward concerns to the council over the lack of notice of the new development as well as overshadowing.

A council Planning Officer raised their objections at the meeting on June 14, stating their concerns that an extension would “give rise to noise, odour, overlooking and overshadowing impacts on the amenity of residents in their hotel.”

At the meeting, officers found that there would be “no unacceptable overshadowing” due to the separation distance between the two buildings.

The report recorded one other objection to the hotel, which queried if the “heritage” street sign would be retained.

The report said that the objector had “no objection to any other part of the design proposed above, only to preserve a piece of our heritage.”

It is understood that the sign will be retained as part of the proposals.

Feb 02
0

First phase of multi-million Cork housing development kicks off this week

By | Upcoming Construction Projects

The first phase of a multi-million euro Cork housing development is set to kick off this week.

The construction of 86 houses costing €17.8 million in Mallow, Co Cork will begin on Thursday, January 27.

The first phase will see the building of 20 houses and associated site works, covering house numbers 10 to 29.

The 3.8 hectare site located on the edge of town in Annabella will see the development of 58 two-and-a-half storey four-bedroom homes (semi detached), 14 two-storey three-bedroom homes (semi detached) and eight two-storey three-bedroom homes (terraced).

Around three open spaces and two playgrounds were also proposed for the area.

Planning permission was first granted by Cork County Council in October of 2016 after developer Canonbridge lodged plans in 2015.

Earlier that year, the council had thrown out an application for 86 houses (scaled down from the original 102) and a creche originally submitted by developers.

An Bord Pleanála granted permission with conditions for the current plan in April 2017 after a third party appeal was lodged by D. and M. McEntee of Mallow.

Among the reasons put forward by the appealing party, they included claims that the housing development would have led to an “exacerbation of traffic problems” and would impede on the habitat of bats in a woodland north of the site.

In ABP’s decision, it found in the ecologist report that the site at Annabella has “limited areas of habitat that bats favour due to risk of predation”.

They also stated that the application is supported by a traffic and transportation assessment (TTA) carried out by MHL & Associates Ltd. Consulting Engineers and a Road Safety Audit (RSA).

Permission was granted by ABP under conditions which included the developers paying a financial contribution of €187,446 “in respect of public infrastructure and facilities”.

A further sum of € 86,000 was required of the developers as a special contribution to the provision of a roundabout at the L1203 (Kennell Hill) /N72 /L9000 junction and relocation and upgrade of the N70/N72 (Annabella) roundabout.

Jan 25
0

New €80 million hotel at Dublin Airport gets the go-ahead

By | Upcoming Construction Projects

Dublin Airport is set to get a luxury new €80 million hotel.

Fingal County Council gave the green light to the first terminal-linked hotel at Dublin Airport this month.

It’s expected to become one of Ireland’s largest hotels and provide an estimated 550 local jobs.

Headed by UK hotel group Arora, the new building will be built right beside Terminal 2 and include pedestrian access to the entire first floor level of the T2 car park.

Planning permission was granted under the condition that Arora Dublin T2 Ltd pay €2.17 million in public infrastructure planning contributions to Fingal County Council.

The 11-storey hotel, with a total floor area of 30,566 square metres, will provide 410 bedrooms and include a large range of amenities including a leisure centre on the third floor – complete with a gym, a steam room, sauna and a jacuzzi.

On the top floor, provisions have been made for a penthouse bar and an executive lounge, both of which open onto south-facing roof terraces.

Dublin Airport Terminal 2 Hotel

Headed by UK hotel group Arora, the new building will be built right beside Terminal 2 and include pedestrian access to the entire first floor level of the T2 car park. Pic: Unum Partnership

On the ground floor, there are plans for 10 meeting rooms and a children’s play room while the first floor will provide an event/business space with five more meeting rooms.

Permission was also sought for the temporary use (five years) of two sites as construction compounds to serve the construction phase. 

Arora submitted plans to the council in May 2021 after it was selected by DAA through public tender process as the preferred operator.

Under this agreement, Arora will operate the hotel for 100 years until ownership reverts back to DAA.

This is the UK group’s first venture in Ireland, operating airport hotels in the likes of London’s Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

The planning permission is subject to any appeal brought to An Bord Pleanála.

So far, one individual has objected to the council over the hotel application.

P Keenan from Carrickhill Heights, Portmarnock argued that “rather than more construction, a bit of judicious demolition is required on the Dublin Airport campus.”

Dec 20
0

Galway Ring Road gets green light from An Bord Pleanála after series of delays

By | Upcoming Construction Projects

An Bord Pleanála has approved the planning application of the N6 Galway City Ring Road.

Estimated to cost €600 million, the proposed road aims to tackle congestion that has long plagued the city.

With propositions to alleviate traffic dating back to as early as 1999, the formal application for the current ring road plan (N6 GCRR) was submitted by Galway County Council over three years ago and has encountered a series of delays and deliberations.

Following an extensive oral hearing last year, An Bord Pleanála has now revised the design around the Parkmore business park and discarded proposed new permanent stables at Galway Racecourse.

The planning body said that the road will have “significant permanent positive impacts” for travellers in relation to their journey times.

They insisted that development must entirely follow plans submitted, which will see the construction of both dual and single carriageways stretching over 18 kilometres.

The dual-lane will begin with a new interchange from the end of the M6 and continue for 12 kilometres until the existing N59 where it will taper into a single lane until its termination point west of Bearna.

The road will also involve a section of a tunnel towards the Galway Racecourse.

Continuing westwards to the Corrib, a second section of tunnel will be constructed as well as a new crossing over the river.

Current plans will see the road reach NUI Galway on a viaduct, before veering towards the Bushypark area.

As part of An Bord Pleanála’s revisions, special infrastructure will be in place for wildlife such as barn owls, otters and lesser horseshoe bats alongside parts of the route.

Stipulations have also been set down for the types of trees that can be planted by the roads.

Galway City Council has estimated that the road will take three years to construct.

In a statement, the Council and its partner Transport Infrastructure Ireland welcomed An Bord Pleanála’s decision.

“The N6 GCRR will transform Galway City Centre from a location typically characterised by heavy congestion and significant traffic volumes to a destination of choice for residents, workers and visitors alike — with increased walking and cycling infrastructure, and a more reliable, frequent and attractive public transport offer,” Chief Executive of Galway City Council, Mr Brendan McGrath, said.

“The decision by An Bord Pleanála will support a number of key policy areas for Galway City, and the wider western region, relating to sustainable travel; urban realm; active lifestyles; climate action; and compact employment-led growth.”

Although the road is embraced by many, opponents of the project have voiced their concerns over the road’s output of carbon emissions.

In its decision document, An Bord Pleanála conceded that the project is “likely to result in a significant negative impact on carbon emissions and climate that will not be fully mitigated”.

The decision document also found that the road will have “negative direct and indirect impacts” to archaeological and built heritage sites found near the desired route, with one protected structure set to be completely demolished.

Since its formal application in 2018, around 500 landowners along the desired route have received Compulsory Acquisition Notices.

Dec 13
0

Construction of 20 new school buildings set for 2022 and 2023

By | Upcoming Construction Projects

The Department of Education confirmed that the construction of 20 large school buildings is set to commence in 2022 and 2023.

The project will see 12 new builds and eight extensions for schools across eight counties, securing in excess of 14,000 permanent school places.

The majority of projects will take place in post-primary schools in preparation for peak enrolment numbers in 2024/25.

All builds are based in areas that have seen significant population growth over the last number of years, including Co Wicklow, Co Kilkenny and Co Westmeath.

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD confirmed that the first phase of the process has concluded with five design and build (D&B) contractors selected for the task.

Overseen by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA), the 20 school building projects will be delivered in three distinct bundles: Project Nore, Project Boyne and Project Dargle.

Subject to planning permissions, it is hoped that all three schemes will proceed to tender and ultimately construction throughout 2022 and 2023.

“The rollout of these projects to tender and construction is an important aspect of the Department’s overall delivery under the Government’s National Development Plan 2021 to 2030,” Minister Foley said.

“They will assist in delivering on the provision of modern and sustainable infrastructure for the schools sector.”

She acknowledged the work from school, communities, the NDFA and other stakeholders in driving forward this major programme.

Keeping in line with pledges made in the National Development Plan 2021 to 2030, the upcoming projects will oversee the construction of over 50 special classrooms.

It also includes new and modern facilities for 22 classrooms in two special schools.

“I am pleased that this programme will provide significant additional provision for children with special education needs at post-primary level and in special schools,” Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan said.

“This will be an important feature for post-primary school projects generally given the need to enhance our capacity to deliver provision for children with special educational needs at post-primary level.”

A list of the 20 projects can be read below.

Carlow:

New build replacement school for Presentation De La Salle in Bagnelstown. It is projected to enrol 750 students after project completion and will include two special needs classrooms.

Kildare:

A new build replacement school for St. Mark’s Special School in Newbridge, including 14 classrooms.

New build replacement school for Patrician Post Primary in Newbridge, including four classrooms for children with special educational needs. It is projected to enrol 1,000 students.

An extension and refurbishment to Cross & Passion, Kilcullen, including four classrooms for children with special educational needs. It is projected to enrol 1,000 students.

New build replacement school for St Mary’s Girls’ Post Primary in Naas including four classrooms for children with special needs. It is projected to enrol 1,000 students.

Kilkenny:

New build replacement school for Kilkenny CBS, including two classrooms for children with special educational needs. It is projected to enrol 1,000 students.

New build replacement school for Presentation Secondary School, including two classrooms for children with special educational needs. It is projected to enrol 1,000 students.

New build replacement school for St. Canice’s N.S, including 24 classrooms with two for children with special educational needs.

Meath:

New build replacement school for Franciscan College in Gormanstown, including four classrooms for children with special educational needs.

Tipperary:

New build replacement school for Gaelscoil Charraig Na Siuire with eight classrooms.

Westmeath:

An extension and refurbishment of St. Finian’s, Mullingar, including two classrooms for children with special educational needs. It is projected to enrol 1,000 students.

A new build of eight classrooms for St. Mary’s Special School, Mullingar to facilitate the transfer of existing school from Delvin to Mullingar.

An extension and refurbishment of St. Joseph’s Secondary School in Rochfortbridge, including four classrooms for children with special educational needs. It is projected to enrol 1,000 students.

An extension and refurbishment of Castlepollard Community College, including two classrooms for children with special educational needs. It is projected to enrol 350 students.

An extension to Moate Community School, including four classrooms for children with special educational needs. It is projected to enrol 1,000 students.

Wicklow:

An extension to Coláiste Chraobh Abhann in Kilcoole, including four classrooms for children with special educational needs. It is projected to enrol 1,000 students.

An extension to St Kevin’s Community College including four classrooms for children with special educational needs. It is projected to enrol 1,000 students.

An extension & refurbishment of Wicklow Avondale Community College in Rathdrum including four classrooms for children with special educational needs. It is projected to enrol 1,000 students.

New build replacement school for Arklow CBS which includes two new classrooms for children with special educational needs. It is projected to enrol 500 students.

New build replacement school for Coláiste Bhríde in Carnew including four classrooms for children with special educational needs. It is projected to enrol 1,000 students.