Construction is now underway on two major housing developments in north County Dublin, with Ballymore and Lydon appointed as contractors to deliver more than 1,100 new homes in partnership with the Land Development Agency (LDA).

In Balbriggan, Ballymore has started work on Hampton Demesne, a large-scale development that will provide 817 affordable purchase, cost rental and social homes. The scheme includes a mix of one-, two- and three-bed apartments, two- to four-bed houses and three-bed duplexes. The first phase will deliver 207 affordable purchase homes and 52 social homes, alongside the construction of the new Castlelands link road connecting Hamilton Road and the R127. Completion of this phase is expected by the end of 2027.

Hampton Demesne has been designed with supporting infrastructure and amenities in mind. The development will feature car and cycle parking, a childcare facility, outdoor play areas and a neighbourhood retail centre. A new park will provide recreational facilities including playgrounds, games areas, basketball courts, an outdoor gym and a skateboard plaza. The new link road will also cross the Dublin–Belfast railway line, unlocking access to sites designated for a new swimming pool and future school.

In Skerries, Lydon is leading the construction of Priory Fields, where 345 homes will be delivered, comprising 101 social, 117 cost rental and 127 affordable purchase homes. Phase 1, currently underway, consists of 176 one-, two- and three-bed apartments ranging from two to four storeys in height. Phase 2 will add three-bed houses to the mix.

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The Priory Fields development will include a crèche, community space, landscaped green areas, and upgraded pedestrian and cycle routes. Road and junction improvements will be carried out alongside the new homes to improve safety, while a sustainable drainage system will enhance the site with natural landscaping. The scheme is well located within walking distance of Skerries train station and town centre.

Together, Hampton Demesne and Priory Fields will deliver 1,162 new homes across north County Dublin, supported by the LDA, Ballymore, Lydon and Fingal County Council.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, turned the sod on the two new developments. Minister Browne said: "Brilliant to break ground on two essential new housing developments, which will deliver over 1,100 affordable and social homes in north County Dublin. This Government's top priority is to get homes built faster for people who need them. I want people to be access suitable houses in which they can grow up and grow old as part of a community.

"The Land Development Agency is the State's affordable housing delivery body, seriously ramping up in the last year in particular. As Minister, I want to ensure it has the necessary resources to fulfil its remit and to deliver at pace and at scale the high quality homes we need. These projects are a further sign of Government progress to deliver homes for people across the country."

John Coleman, Chief Executive of the Land Development Agency, added: "These are significant developments for the LDA and mark a major delivery milestone in the provision of affordable housing. I would like to recognise the considerable work undertaken by both the LDA and its construction partners Ballymore and Lydon as well as colleagues in Fingal County Council in getting us to this stage for both projects."

Meanwhile, Patrick Phelan, Managing Director of Ballymore, Ireland noted Hampton Demesne as "a transformative development that will bring high-quality, affordable homes and vibrant community amenities to Balbriggan," whilst Conor Lydon, Director of Lydon, said the company was "grateful for the continued support of Bank of Ireland, whose financing has been instrumental" in enabling the delivery of the Priory Fields project.