Ireland round-up: Tougher penalties mooted for vacant development sites; Demolition of 100-year-old council flats in Dublin planned

Tougher penalties mooted for vacant development sites

The Social Democrat Party has published new legislation that would see owners of vacant sites who fail to develop them face increased financial penalties.

The Planner

Demolition of 100-year-old council flats in Dublin planned

One of Dublin city’s oldest social housing flat complexes could be demolished and replaced with hotels and apartments under plans submitted to Dublin City Council.

Irish Times

North Strand apartment block refused planning permission

A six-storey apartment block planned for the North Strand has been refused planning permission by Dublin City Council following opposition from Irish Rail and residents.

Irish Times

Plans in for Dublin student digs

Plans for a 232-bed student accommodation scheme in Dublin have been submitted for a site at the junction of Carman's Hall and Garden Lane near Trinity College Dublin and the Royal College of Surgeons’ campus.

Insider Media

Incinerator would not impact Cork naval base, says Indaver

Waste management company Indaver has insisted that its proposed €160 million incinerator at Cork Harbour would not impact the safety of helicopters operating at the Naval Service base at Haulbowline.

Irish Times

Build to Rent would help solve housing crisis, claims CBRE

Property consultancy CBRE has called on the administration to follow the UK's Build To Rent model to help solve the housing supply crisis.

Irish Independent

D4 residents launch final appeal against €50m luxury apartment plan

A group of Dublin 4 residents have appealed the green light for a €50 million luxury apartment plan by a company backed by businessman Denis O'Brien.

Irish Independent

IMF warns state’s Help to Buy scheme is adding pressure to housing market

The International Monetary Fund has warned that the government's controversial Help to Buy scheme for first-time buyers may add to demand pressures in the market.

Irish Independent

Public hearing for new maternity hospital in Dublin

A public hearing has been scheduled for the plans to develop a €300 million National Maternity Hospital in Dublin 4.

Irish Independent

Dublin Port refuses to agree to plan to build Dublin film studio in docklands

Dublin Port Company has ruled out the use of any of its land – including the Poolberg Peninsula – for the development of a film studio, following a review of public submissions on the future of the port.

Irish Times

Barrett’s Galway plan sees objection

Developer Gerry Barrett’s ambitious €100 million plan to create a new ‘urban quarter’ at Galway Docks has been met with an objection from the Galway Association of An Taisce.

Irish Independent

Dublin’s Iveagh Markets at risk 

An Taisce has called for action from Dublin City Council over Temple Bar hotelier Martin Keane’s stalled development project.

Irish Times

Dublin Airport must wait year for ruling on new runway

The operators of Dublin Airport must wait at least a year for a ruling on a key part of the planning permission for its new runway.

Irish Times

Coveney publishes details of further progress on social housing schemes

The administration has published an updated list of social housing schemes under way nationwide which suggests that the pipeline has increased from 8,430 units to over 10,072.

Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

1,000 new homes proposed for Ballymakenny

A plan to develop more than 1,000 new homes in Ballymakenny is to be lodged with Louth County Council – almost 10 years after the original permission was granted.

Irish Independent

Tifco planning to double size of airport hotel

Tifco, the hotel group backed by Goldman Sachs, is planning to nearly double the size of its Holiday Inn Express hotel near Dublin Airport.

Irish Independent

Question mark over €40m St Stephen's Green hotel plan

An appeal has been lodged against proposals for a controversial €40 million plan to convert Loreto Hall, a former ‘young ladies’ hostel on St Stephen's Green, into a luxury Dublin hotel.

Irish Independent

Over 25% of Poolbeg lands to be used for social housing

More than a quarter of the 3,500 apartments planned for the new urban quarter on the Poolbeg peninsula will be used for social and affordable housing under a deal secured this week by Dublin City Council.

Irish Times

Dublin College Green scheme application submitted

Dublin City Council has formally applied to An Bord Pleanála for its proposed College Green scheme as well as publishing the environmental impact assessment for the project.

Dublin City Council