Planning permission has been granted for over 700 cost rental and social homes in Cherry Orchard, Dublin, a development welcomed by the Land Development Agency (LDA) and Dublin City Council (DCC).

The plans, approved by An Bord Pleanála, will allow for the construction of 547 cost rental and 161 social housing homes at Cherry Orchard Point, a joint LDA and DCC project which will deliver a new and vibrant community on 13 hectares of land owned by the Council.

The approved development includes both housing and commercial units and represents Phase 1 of a wider scheme for lands known as Site 4 and Site 5 in the Park West-Cherry Orchard Local Area Plan which could deliver more than 1,100 homes in total.

The approval for Phase 1 includes a supermarket, retail and commercial units, internal and external community and cultural spaces, a childcare facility, landscaped public open space, an outdoor fitness trail, playground and multi-use games area. It also includes a community plaza and a multipurpose amenity lawn.

The homes will comprise 28 studio apartments, 263 one-bed, 368 two-bed and 49 three-bed apartments, ranging in height from four to 15 storeys.

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The LDA will now progress with detailed design and to procure a main contractor, targeting construction commencing on the new homes by the end of 2025.

In approving the proposed development, An Bord Pleanála said it would "positively contribute to compact growth and would make efficient use of an appropriately zoned greenfield/brownfield site within the urban area of Dublin City".

Cherry Orchard Point is located beside Park West & Cherry Orchard Railway Station, adjacent to the M50 and within easy reach of a wide range of businesses and major employers, including those located at Park West Business Park.

The approved homes will be A-rated, with heat pump systems, PV panels and quality insulation. Many will have views over communal parkland or landscaped courtyard gardens. All individual apartments will have a balcony or terrace space.

A public consultation process was recently completed on the planned delivery of a further 145 affordable homes in Cherry Orchard Point. The new homes are proposed as part of Phase 2 of the residential development with a planning application expected to follow soon.

The plans to develop new homes at Cherry Orchard Point are proposed to combine with other public projects planned locally by DCC and included in the Park West-Cherry Orchard Local Area Plan, which was voted on and approved by Dublin city councillors in October 2019.

In addition to Cherry Orchard Point, the LDA is working closely with DCC on a number of other housing projects including Bluebell Waterways, Cromcastle, and St. Teresa's Gardens. Cherry Orchard Point is the largest joint project being undertaken by the LDA and DCC.

Phelim O'Neill, Head of Property at the LDA said: "We are delighted to receive planning permission for Phase 1 of Cherry Orchard Point in partnership with Dublin City Council. This new development includes much-needed social and affordable housing, as well as new facilities and amenities that will help to create a vibrant new community and add significantly to the existing community in the area. We now look forward to getting construction underway on what will be a high-quality housing development on land that was previously underutilised."