Dublin City Council has been called to ensure that the Poolbeg Special Development Zone (SDZ) takes advantage of the excess heat and energy generated on the Poolbeg Peninsula by using it to power a district heating system in the new Poolbeg SDZ.

The Green Party also urged the council for the development to be one third social housing, one third affordable and one third private.

Green Party Councillor Ciaran Cuffe said: "There is a unique opportunity in Poolbeg to capture heat and energy, that is currently being wasted, and put it to use. Combined with high quality buildings and solar energy throughout the development, we have a real chance to create a Zero Energy development in Poolbeg. A District Heating system must be part of the SDZ."

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The Green Party also lodged a significant submission to the public consultation for the Poolbeg SDZ, which will set the planning guidelines for development on Dublin Bay. The SDZ masterplan will cover all aspects of this development and shape the community and surrounding area for years to come. The Green Party submission calls for planners to have a strong vision for the future, and demanding high levels of energy efficiency - making better homes while reducing wasted energy and reducing our carbon emissions.

Councillor Patrick Costello said: "It is important that we get the housing part of the SDZ right as well, Council Planners are saying at present they can only allow 10% social housing under national policy and legislation, this is not enough. It is imperative that Minister for Housing, Simon Coveney, acts to allow more social housing to help deal with the growing housing waiting list that fuel the ongoing homelessness crisis. We are calling for the SDZ site to be designated one third each to cocial, affordable, and private housing."

(CD)