Up to 2,000 new homes are planned for Cherrywood in South Dublin

Sarah Slater

Up to 2,000 new homes are planned for Cherrywood in South County Dublin.

The area is becoming a rapidly developing residential and business area located between Cabinteely, Loughlinstown, and Carrickmines, easily accessible by the M50 and N11.

At a meeting of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council late last month, councillors voted to approve a proposed amendment to the Cherrywood Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) Planning Scheme.

The amendments will be subject to a number of proposed modifications, which will be subject to further public display.

The proposed amendment, when fully approved, will also allow the homes to be more in line with national apartment guidelines, and introduce "clear phasing requirements” to ensure that shops, services and other town centre facilities are delivered, the council has outlined.

The proposal is being led by a council in-house team supported by a multidisciplinary team of technical experts with specialist expertise in urban design, retail provision, land use, sustainable transportation, servicing infrastructure, community infrastructure and micro‑climate analysis, including sunlight and daylight, and wind assessments, alongside viability assessment.

The council in a statement said that the current review process has been “extensive and evidence‑based, with a central focus on enabling progress across social, economic and community priorities”.

The review has also had regard to the overall vision and principles for Cherrywood, along with relevant Government policy.

“Throughout the process, the aim has been to support the delivery of a vibrant, mixed-use, sustainable and viable town centre that will meet Cherrywood’s long‑term needs,” the council added.

“(This will be done) with an  appropriate mix, quantum and phasing of uses, community facilities and key infrastructure such as active travel infrastructure, schools and retail, to secure a balance of employment, retail, residential, community and social uses.”

Anne Devine, Acting Chief Executive, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, explained that the decision was “very welcome” after councillors “reached this decision (to back the housing proposal) following an extensive, plan‑led review process.”

Ms Devine continued: “ The central objective throughout has been to support the delivery of a much‑needed town centre, one that will serve residents, businesses and visitors, and enable progress across a range of social, economic and community priorities.”

However, the proposal has been criticised by People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett, who pointed out that when initially planned, “Cherrywood was to have at least 40 per cent under €300,000. That plan never happened.”

Deputy Boyd-Barrett highlighted that the party wants “every site that is owned by DLR properties and the State to have 100 per cent social and affordable homes. At a time when over 17,000 people are homeless, building 100 per ent social and affordable is crucial”.

Following a public consultation process, which is now underway and will last four weeks, a final chief executive’s report will be considered by councillors.