A masterplan for 200 homes is currently being developed by Fingal County Council on lands recently purchased next to the Mooretown Development.
In an update this week on projects in pre-planning, Fingal County Council revealed that a masterplan is being developed for Phase 1 of the council lands and they listed the number of units as 200.
The parcel of land in question borders Rathbeal Rd to the north, Swords Manor to the south, Lioscian/Cianlea to the east, and Swords Community College to the west.
The update did not say whether the new development would be all social housing or of a mixed tenure (private, social and affordable). That decision will come in time.
Last year the council bought the 62-acre site for a reported €40m.
The previous Local Area Plan (LAP) for the site included two parks – one next to the Rathbeale Rd, and one surrounding the historic St Cronan’s Well. It also contained walking and cycling links between the Murrough Rd and Swords Community College and new road connecting the Rathbeale Road and the school.
The LAP listed lands near the Rathbeale Rd for low density but lands further into the site as medium density. That LAP has expired in 2020.
Cllr Ian Carey said:
“It’s positive to see the council start to develop this site straight away. We badly need homes built and this site is one that really should have been built out a decade ago.
“I would like to see the council stick to the old LAP on the site. It only expired in 2020 and it gave a good mix of housing and open space. The new parks would benefit all the surrounding community and I think we should be considering the entire community when we build out new schemes.
“The cycling and walking links through this site will also be critical. Many parents have complained of the distance that students going to Swords Community College have to travel to get to and from school. Links through to the Murrough Road are absolutely essential.
“I would also like to see this site developed as a mixed-tenure development. This means private homes, social housing and affordable housing will all be made available. It is important when we build large scale developments that we mix the tenure type so that everyone gets an opportunity when the homes become available – whether you want to buy, take up a cost rental property or are looking for social housing.”
