The Land Development Agency (LDA) and Dublin City Council have welcomed approval from city councillors for planning permission to deliver 123 new homes and major amenities as part of the Donore Project in Dublin 8.

The decision advances Phase 2 of the scheme, complementing Phase 1, where construction of 542 homes is already under way on the former St Teresa's Gardens site. The latest phase also features a municipal multi-sport playing pitch and a new public park.

Developed across two sites, Phase 2 will provide 103 cost-rental and 20 social homes. The programme is supported by the Government's Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF), administered by the Housing Activation Office of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

HIIF backing will fund essential infrastructure such as new roads, pedestrian and cycling links, emergency access routes and drainage. It will also support landscape planting to enable sustainable urban drainage and bolster biodiversity in this dense urban setting.

One of the proposed residential buildings is a 16-storey apartment block, comprising one studio, 71 one-bedroom and 31 two-bedroom homes.

The second building is a three-storey block with ground-floor and duplex apartments above, delivering 2 one-bedroom, 8 two-bedroom and 10 three-bedroom own-door homes.

The multi-sport pitch is designed to accommodate soccer, rugby and GAA, and will be delivered alongside landscaped play areas, exercise zones and open spaces. The new public park will be located north of existing homes on the South Circular Road, near the former Bailey Gibson site.

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Construction of the 542 Phase 1 homes continues, with the first apartments due early next year. Across both phases, the development will deliver 665 homes in total.

Work on Phase 2 is scheduled to begin in 2027, with the playing pitch targeted for completion by year-end and the homes by the end of 2028.

The wider project includes a creche, community spaces, a café, retail units, a mobility hub and a new home for Donore Boxing Club. It will also open new routes between Donore Avenue, South Circular Road and Cork Street to foster an integrated, revitalised neighbourhood.

Beyond Donore, the LDA and DCC are partnering on more than 1,200 homes at Cherry Orchard Point in Dublin 10, 146 at An tSrúill in Coolock (Dublin 5) and 383 at Bluebell Waterways in Dublin 12.

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Daryl Barron said: "This is another big step forward for Donore and for Dublin 8. It brings us closer to delivering 123 new social and cost rental homes, as well as facilities that will benefit the entire community.

"What stands out is the wider ambition for this part of the city. The new multi-sports playing pitch, public park and community spaces show that Dublin City Council and the Land Development Agency are building more than homes. They are helping to create a real neighbourhood.

"This is how we build a better Dublin, through quality homes, strong communities and public spaces that bring people together."

John Coleman, Chief Executive of the LDA added: "Receiving planning approval for Phase 2 of the Donore Project is an exciting development for the LDA and for current and future residents of Dublin 8.

"When complete it will be home to more than 1,000 people and provide important sports and recreation amenities for the area. This will be a fantastic new neighbourhood. Future residents will benefit from living in well-designed and modern homes, in what is already a great community.

"I would like to thank Dublin City Council and the elected councillors for their ongoing support."

Richard Shakespeare, Chief Executive of Dublin City Council said: "This marks another important stage in the positive progress of the Donore Project, one of several developments Dublin City Council is delivering in partnership with the LDA.

The 123 new homes are only part of the good news for the area. This planning approval paves the way for the delivery of excellent new amenities and facilities including a multi-sports pitch. Coupled with the new park and community spaces, they will add significantly to the new neighbourhood and to the south inner city. This accelerated delivery has been made possible by our ongoing close collaboration with the Land Development Agency."