The Land Development Agency (LDA) and Limerick City & County Council (LCCC) have announced plans to deliver 183 affordable purchase and social-rental homes in Mungret, Co Limerick.
The development includes 183 houses and duplexes, as well as new public amenities and green spaces.
Limerick City and County Council has already secured planning permission for 252 homes at the greenfield site, and the LDA is partnering with the local authority, providing infrastructure, expertise and resources to build 181 of the homes for affordable purchase, providing an opportunity for low-to-middle income earners to buy their own home.
Two further homes have been designated as Community Dwellings for people with disabilities and their carers. The remaining homes, creche and community uses will be delivered by Cluid, an Approved Housing Body, as part of an integrated scheme for older people.
The land, which is located on the grounds of the former Mungret College and is owned by LCCC, is part of the wider Mungret Framework. The overall Framework aims to unlock substantial lands within public and private ownership and allow construction of residential development supported by community and employment uses. This Framework has the potential to deliver approximately 1,950 dwelling units of which this LDA partnership is an early phase. The Framework has already delivered a new park, playground, schools, a link road and a number of private developer-led housing schemes.
The LDA is preparing the tender process for a contractor, with construction likely to begin on site before the end of the year. The project is expected to be completed within 3-4 years with the phased handover of units to deliver homes.
This new development will include detached, semi-detached and duplex homes, open spaces and communal amenities with new landscaping and a public plaza. Residents will have easy access to excellent transport links into Limerick city centre, which is just fifteen minutes away by car and 25 by bike.
The site is located near to Raheen Business Park, where a number of major employers such as Analog Devices and Stryker, as well as the new state-of-the-art Lily plant, are based.
The project will be rolled out over two phases. Phase One will deliver 99 homes and infrastructure. Phase Two will deliver 84 homes and public realm facilities.
John Coleman, Chief Executive of the LDA, said: “We are excited to announce this partnership with Limerick City and County Council to deliver these much-needed affordable and social homes. Mungret is a great area. It’s close to Limerick city and within easy reach of a range of amenities. There is a wonderful existing community there, which will be enhanced by the provision of new and affordable high-quality homes.
“This partnership is an important step as the LDA seeks to increase its footprint in Limerick. It comes as we are increasingly partnering with local authorities to deliver new homes in strategic areas.”
Pat Daly, Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council added: “This is an excellent development and we are delighted to be working in partnership with the LDA to deliver more than 180 affordable and social homes in Mungret. This development will complement the work already undertaken by the Council at Mungret Park and will provide a significant residential and economic boost to the area.”
The LDA is working with stakeholders to advance a number of projects across Limerick. Together with Limerick City & County Council and the HSE, the Agency will deliver new homes and help transform the Colbert Quarter area of the city. It will soon publish the consultation and engagement report on plans for up to 600 homes at St Joseph’s Hospital, one of the key development sites of the Colbert Quarter area.
Plans to appoint a design team for a site on Carey’s Road are at an advanced stage while the development of another site on the Dock Road is proceeding at pace. The LDA has also secured 81 apartments at The Mills in Castletroy in Limerick as part of its Project Tosaigh initiative. These apartments will be completed later this year and will be made available at cost rental rates.
