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PLANS TO DELIVER homes at a publicly owned site in north Dublin can’t proceed without further cost analysis in what local representatives have described as a “disgraceful” delay by the Department of Housing.
The latest update on the Oscar Traynor Road site comes as the government prepares to unveil it’s ‘Housing for All’ plan next month and as discussions continue within the Department on how an alternative development at the publicly owned site would be funded.
The vacant site sits at the junction of the Port Tunnel and Oscar Traynor Road and was bought by then-Dublin Corporation in the 1980s. In 2014, the Council drew up plans to increase housing stock around the city and the Oscar Traynor lands were identified as part of this process.
The development put before councillors last year was set to deliver 853 new homes but was voted down in November 2020 after councillors refused to back a deal which would have seen the 17-hectare site turned over to private developer Glenveagh.
Under the scheme, 50% of the homes would have been private, 30% social and 20% affordable-purchase.
The plans included 428 homes which would be sold privately by Glenveagh. A total of 253 would be bought by Dublin City Council for social housing and 172 homes would be sold to low and middle-income workers who qualify for the Government’s upcoming affordable purchase scheme.
That plan was rejected in November 2020 by 48 votes to 14. Fine Gael was the only party with all councillors voting in favour of the deal (9 votes).
In the months that followed, councillors from Sinn Féin and Labour drew up a new proposal for the publicly owned site – which formed part of the Council’s 2015 Housing Land Initiative and which aims to work alongside developers to build a mix of social, affordable and private housing on large council-owned sites.
Local representatives in March agreed to a new tenure mix of 40% social housing, 40% cost-rental housing and 20% affordable purchase at Oscar Traynor.
As councillors prepare for a meeting next week with Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien to advance these plans, council officials say it has engaged with the Department to see if key elements of the original plan like affordability could be “enhanced or if a cost-rental scheme could be included in an attempt to keep the project alive”, a Council report issued last week said.
Officials have indicated that they remain in favour of the original proposal. They believe that if government is willing to increase the services sites fund from €50,000 to €100,000 then the ‘affordable’ units proposed for Oscar Traynor more viable.
The fund is a state subsidy that supports the construction of affordable purchase and affordable or cost rental homes.
Furthermore, council sources have said that if a cost-rental model is developed by the government some of the proposed private units could be used for this instead.
The Department in the meantime has indicated that to consider the new plans proposed by councillors a “long list of options” including a business case must be put forward, a move some local representatives have described as a delaying tactic.
“It’s a disgrace,” says Labour councillor and incoming Lord Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland.
“The Department should have been able to tell us within five minutes of [councillors voting down the original deal] that this was needed,” she said. “I’m more than disgusted.”
The ongoing Oscar Traynor debate is not the first time the country’s largest local authority has been at loggerheads with central government over plans for homes on public land.
In late 2019, councillors voted in favour of the redevelopment of O’Devaney Gardens on Dublin’s northside but only after years of disagreement over the tenure mix at the site.
Built in 1954, O’Devaney Gardens – once home to 272 social houses – was originally set to be redeveloped in 2008 through a public-private partnership between developer Bernard McNamara and Dublin City Council.
That deal collapsed due to the economic crash and, in 2012, the council said it could no longer afford to redevelop O’Devaney.
In July 2016, councillors approved a motion, put forward by Workers’ Party Councillor Éilis Ryan, that the redeveloped site should be 100% public, mixed-income housing.
Ryan’s proposal catered for 50% of homes rented to the council’s housing list applicants and 50% for those with a “demonstrated housing need”. In other words, those who are above the social housing threshold, but struggling in the private-rented sector.
However, councillors decided instead – after negotiating with then-Housing Minister Simon Coveney – that the homes replacing the old units should be 30% social housing, 20% affordable-to-buy and 50% private residential.
At the time, Coveney was originally willing to only earmark 10% of the homes at O’Devaney for social housing.
Those in favour of a mixed-tenure development at O’Devaney, like Sinn Féin’s Daithí Doolan, argued that having mixed tenure, instead, could lead to a more sustainable community.
At the time, Doolan said that 30% social housing for the 14-acre site was “a solid outcome” under a Fine Gael minister.
Fast-forward to 2019 and developer Bartra has been chosen to redevelop the site with a price-tag for the “affordable” homes ranging between €240,000 and €320,000.
By the time a new Dublin City Council sat in September 2019 – altering the political make-up of the council and bringing a cast of new councillors who hadn’t voted for the original plan in 2016 – the landscape had shifted and Sinn Féin was no longer the largest party on the Council, Fianna Fáil was.
A number of councillors said they’d vote against the O’Devaney plan ahead of a meeting on 7 October. Objections were continually raised around the “affordable” price-tags for the homes. Some councillors said any private homes at O’Devaney was a poor use of State land.
In early October – once it had become clear that the deal would be rejected at the meeting – councillors agreed to delay a vote on whether or not to proceed with the DCC/Bartra-led development at O’Devaney Gardens to allow for discussions with Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy.
Writing to councillors, Murphy said funding for the O’Devaney redevelopment could be reconsidered if councillors rejected the plan on the table and that it could delay the entire project by five years.
“Funding from my department to both reduce the cost of homes and help fund much-needed community facilities will also be lost if elected members decide not to proceed with this important project,” Murphy said, in a letter to councillors.
In the end, after a vote on the Bartra-led plans was deferred, councillors from Fianna Fáil, the Green Party, Labour and the Social Democrats said that they had “secured a commitment” from Bartra that 30% of the total units will be purchased from the developer at market price and offered as “affordable-rental” in an attempt to end the deadlock.
The deal was voted through and last month Bartra lodged a planning application for the site, increasing the number of units at O’Devaney to 1,053.
The Council, meanwhile, has appointed two approved housing bodies to negotiate with Bartra for cost-rental units at the site though it remains to be seen how achievable this will be.
If negotiations are not successful Bartra can sell 523 of the units at the site privately and already concerns have been raised that these units will not be protected under recent ministerial guidelines preventing investor funds bulk-buying homes as the rules do not apply to apartments.
With O’Devaney in the back of their minds, some councillors believe that handing over public land to another developer would be unacceptable, hence the new plan put forward for Oscar Traynor.
But others, like Fine Gael’s Naosie Ó’Muirí, say that the Department’s most recent correspondence shows there “is little or no movement in reality”.
“Things are snarling up bureaucratically which was always a real risk…we had a proposal that was within our control, within the council’s control to deliver units and we’ve lost control of that,” he said.
For Morgan Nolan, who lives near the Oscar Traynor site, people in the local area want to see homes built but creating a viable community is also key.
“It’s been a wasteland for 30, 35 years, it’s dumping ground so a lot of people want to see something done with it, a lot of people have children and would like to see them live in the area.
“But the proposals were going up 10 storeys and a lot of people were not in favour of that… it’s a fairly hemmed-in piece of land, you’ve a motorway on one side and established communities on the other.”
The original Oscar Traynor proposal would have seen two-bedroom affordable purchase units priced between €250,000 to €300,000.
Under the scheme, developer Glenveagh was due to pay the Council €14 million for the land and redevelop it. The Council would then pay Glenveagh to build the social housing units on the site.
Councillors however raised concerns that the Council would be tied to the price it would pay for the social housing units until 2024, with no guarantee the scheme wouldn’t be delayed due to Covid-19, and that it would be left up to the developer how they would dispose of the new homes, which some Councillors said could include selling them in bulk to a private investment trust.
Councillors voted overwhelmingly – 48 to 14 – to reject the plan with Glenveagh.
Nolan says he had concerns about the number of apartments proposed for the site and feared it could lead to a transient population if too many rental units were built but says something should be done with the site.
“Given the housing crisis that we have I’d like to see homes being built on it but homes for families and single people,” he said.
The most recent correspondence from the Department regarding the proposed new tenure mix of 40% social housing, 40% cost-rental housing and 20% affordable purchase at Oscar Traynor has been described as “unacceptable” by Sinn Féin’s Doolan.
“I think it’s an attempt to undermine the democratic will of elected representatives but more importantly it’s an attempt to block a type of housing that meets the needs of the community,” he said.
With councillors set to meet Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien over the new proposal next week, Labour’s Gilliland says she is circumspect the Department will back the new tenure mix.
“We’ve different philosophies but in the meantime you’ve people screaming that they can’t afford rent,” she said.
Fine Gael’s Ó’Muirí said: “I would hope that people would see sense and that we’ll get some shape of the proposal that was originally on the table back on the block.”
This work is co-funded by Journal Media and a grant programme from the European Parliament. Any opinions or conclusions expressed in this work is the author’s own. The European Parliament has no involvement in nor responsibility for the editorial content published by the project. For more information, see here.
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I wouldn’t believe any word from his mouth.
has there ever been a more successful government. if so please name one
These Fine Gael unionist bloodsuckers haven’t been running the country,they’ve been told what to do since day 1.Recessions end,they’ve done sweet f.a to make me think any different,I’ll give them this though,they’ve been the most consistent liars of any government I can recall,and the money they waste on propaganda could probably solve our homeless crisis.
Hello folks, i hope you are all well. It’s true there is a lot of speculation about the election date. It is certainly fascinating for us political junkies. However the important thing is that we face choices. This FG led government has done a tremendous job turning the economy around after the dire situation we inherited. Do we really want to risk all our great work and superb potential on instability and chaos? SF are a high tax party and FF are still not ready to be forgiven for the way the handled/squandered the boom. You may not like FG or Labour, but is there really a viable alternative that will secure the recovery and build a nation you can be proud of? I don’t believe there is an alternative. I would strongly urge you to vote FG and Labour, together we will continue our good work leading the recovery & pursuing good progressive policies. Thanks people and have a pleasant evening.
Disingenuous from Martin there re Gordon Browne. 2007 was the beginning of the crises and the midpoint of public outcry re-Iraq.. He was never going to beat all that…
It’s not that I don’t want Kenny out, but rubbish like that from Martin only helps his cause.
Hello bacoxy, kind regards to you this evening. Quick question my friend. Do you believe Gerry Adams when he says he was never ever in the IRA? Thank you in advance my friend :)
Hello Dane becareful with your fake accounts you might reply to yourself by mistake like Baz did recently
Dane FG implemented the policies of FF /troika any thoughts?
Hello Dave, kind and warm wishes to you. Just curious about the lies you are referring to. Could you be more specific please?
‘FG will not introduce a recurring charge on the family home’ part of FG’s election manifesto 2011. There’s one Dane/james. ; )
its election time soon FG are worried when Dane the pain and great enda defender makes his social media political broadcasts
Your making a good case for give FF a stroke also norman. i hadnt thought of that until now. FG, Lab, and now FF for me. cheers norman i was hadnt thought of giving FF a vote. Cheers for making such a good case for FF norman.
james if you’re looking to credit the guys responsible for what ye claim is the recovery, it’s only fair you vote for the parties policies ye followed ie FF.
not one mention of a better government in the history of this state. really shows what an excellent job this government has done.
worst Government ecmcer
Fianna Fail drove us to the cliff and pushed us, however while we were still hanging on and there was a hope of salvation for the Irish people, Fine Gael came along promising to help us but they didnt instead they stood on our fingertips and plunged this generation and many to come into decades of gamblers debt. Now while we are slowly climbing that cliff again, Fine Gael are conducting a fire sale of our assets to the vultures circling our beat carcasses. NEVER AGAIN.
James, change yer name like a good man.
I’m sure Denis O’Brien will spring something big for the blue shirts before the next election.
Good evening Garwig, pleasure to talk to you, you are correct to bring up the debt issue and i acknowledge you pointing out the past failures of FF. Did you know, my friend, that the government has saved approximately 10bn euro on the debt thanks to prudent negotiations and the prom note deal. Have a look at this my friend and have a great evening http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/euro10bn-saved-on-national-debt-repayments-322718.html
James, you seem a bit delusional. its all a load of spin
MORE spoofing Dane??
tut tut
The prom note ‘deal’ on the 30 billion owed has not gone any where. It was merely converted to sovereign debt which will now accrue interest over the next 40 years and may well cost us double.
Its no more a deal than if I extended my mortgage by 40 years and then tried to claim I saved money because my monthly repayments have dropped.
Its an accounting sleight of hand, like they tried with Irish Water. Nobodys falling for it.
Yet paid the debts of unsecured bondholders and enslaved future generations to same. No thanks I can’t stomach the betrayal again. I voted for change last time but got more of the same. FG no Thanks my friend have a nice evening yourself.
Brendan Howlin certainly doesn’t want an election until next year, saying that Labour still have work to do….the devils work no doubt.
The list of better governments than this lot was too long. Rather you supply a list of worse governments, if you really think hard you may come up with one
I had to laugh at the last election FG promised the earth,moon and stars even though they had the dam thing won before a vote was cast as it was a case of anybody but FF.All they done was finish off what FF started and changed nothing.
@terry, you are right, the present gov are pretending that they also saw off the troika, remember noonan trying to peddle that one?
all I can say is thank god for the troika, can you imagine what state we would be in if it were not for our german cashiers
I never knew we were slaves Garwig, do please tell… I could do with a laugh
if that passage is too complicated for you get someone to read it for you again. FG enslaved us to a debt that wasn’t ours to pay. Money which could be spent on the vital services they slashed and burned to pay the gambling debts. Never again. I will poison the FG brand to all I know.
Hugh new pic?. are we going to see that on election posters for FG when Edna call the election?
You can talk to a man with a wooden leg,
But you can;t talk to a man with a wooden head.
And with a Blue background I see.
doctor told hugh he was impotent so hugh is gonna look impotent, its how he rolls…fg shtyle,
The sooner the better. Enough of these Muppet’s. Self serving fools. Cronyism, corruption, fennelly, NAMA, siteserv, irbc, penalty points, sitting on Moriarty. Iw. Health services that are a shambles.
Do you seriously think they won;t be back in power? Cos that would be nighty delusionary.
imagine all that and the economy still growing at 6.7%, truly amazing work by FG
Sgt they couldn’t even get an overall majority after FF wrecked the country. Your mighty delusionary yourself.
Global Economy doing all the heavy lifting, watch us crash if the global economy’s growth stalls
‘truly amazing work by FG’ not really they just followed the plan as laid out by FF/troika. ; )
Oh look its James connolly again. What’s the chances. Are you sticking with this account for now or will you change to your other accounts soon.
James actually not really as FG claiming that FF couldn’t manage the economy lacks creditability considering they used FF’s policies. : )
littleone ‘james connelly’ is Dane Tyghe. Dane can’t use his own account to snipe and sneer as it would ruin his polite facade.
How long do you think this rate of growth will last. we shall only find out in FGs second term
So lads. I’ll ask again. Who do you think will be in power after the next election?
Alan FG/FF although highly unlikely to last a full term.Too many egos.
Ah norman , that’s 3 he is using then. Saw today he made a blunder, he is also left , left , stop. Bit sad really.
Norman is correct
Wesole is Jason
I had great hopes for Dane as our next taoiseach :)
what other tax cuts do you think FG will announce. exciting times
If FG get back into govt James Connolly then you’d be perfect for the post of minister for defecation.
when they get in ill just sit back and enjoy the prosperity like every other irish citizen
Guys stop feeding James /Dane he’s a total obnoxious troll. FG are finished rotten to the core.
Kenny will be cornered soon enough. The clock is ticking.
Question. Does the longer they stay in power have an impact on their pensions? Or is this solely a tactical move to remain in government?
serving a full term is a sing of a strong cohesive government, 6.7% growth is fact that it is working fantastically well
I wouldn’t agree with your point James, but it’s taken non the less.
those 7000 repossession orders to be heard over the next few weeks many of those people will tell you to shove your 6.7% growth where the sun don’t shine James.
reckless borrowing is tragic alright william
I suppose the good thing about Enda having his head stuck in the sand is that his ass is in the air and he won’t see the kicking coming.
If you were expecting a declaration of clarity from Enda! Hilarious! Clarity – it’s just not in him & his repertoire of clown tricks!
Patience folks. Opportunity for payback will arrive… Fg/Lab will feel the rage of a nation soon. Give away budget will not save these liars.
polls suggest otherwise. FG are so far out in front it cant even be considered a competition anymore. easiest reelection in history
I can’t wait for this budget and the FG budget 2016 should be even better!! Go on Enda ya good thing
Do you think FG will follow the policies of FF if returned to government? seeing as they spent the last 4+ years implementing FF policy.
Enda Kenny is Irelands worst leader of all time. Time for this idiot to go.
that just makes it all the sweeter norman ;)
james it also calls into question the credibility of any attack on FF’s economic policies. : )
@Colm – you have a short memory and no reasonable analysis would support that given that the previous two administrations bankrupted the economy and landed a debt of €40 billion on it’s people which the next two generations will be paying for. I’m curious to hear your counter argument though if you would care to enlighten me?
James it was the present government that turned the promissory note into sovereign debt the night before David Hall challenged it’s legality in the courts.
* the night before David Hall was to challenge it’s legality in the courts.
@Norman so you also agree Kenny is the worst Taoiseach ever?
James where did I offer an opinion on Kenny as Taoiseach other than to state he is the most ‘managed’ one we’ve ever had. I notice however you ignored the contents of my post entirely.
@Norman – I asked Colm to justify his statement. You offered support to him which appeared to suggest you agreed with him so I asked you if you did. The debate wasn’t about one decision so I didn”t see the point in reducing it to that. Since you asked me my opinion on the prom note conversion is that it was the right decision to protect our credit rating and will save us more than it will cost us. Now you answer my question – do you agree with Colm that Kenny is the worst?
‘Now you answer my question’ I did if you took the time to read what I wrote.Btw Noonan confirmed the prom note was illegal.
@Norman I asked you was Kenny the worst? Yes or no would do – where did I miss that? Apologies if I did – or did you fudge it?
I hated the way that he messed about the abuse victim Louise O’Keefe and then used Maria Cahill to throw political points at Sinn Fein ..
I hate his accent – keep it going lads and we will convince ourselves he was the worst leader in the world EVER
Very shallow of you,James!
Sorry WNM that’s the way I roll
James I’ve offered no opinion on him for the simple fact I think he is the most ‘managed ‘ Taoiseach we have. He’s not his own man, so tbh I can’t give you am opinion on him.He’s a puppet.
Seems like it!
What did you think of the way that Enda treated Louise O’Keefe ?
You did offer an opinion on him Norman but I guess you couldn’t agree with the ridiculous notion that he is worst Taoiseach ever.
Cant wait for him to tear Gerry Adams and Michael Martin apart in a live leaders debate hosted by Vincent Browne. Oh wait silly me Enda doesn’t do live debates SPINELESS COWARD.
Any so called leader that refuses to speak to media, engage with journalists and basically hides from the electorate is not suited to the position of Taoiseach at all. Even if one was a FG supporter they have to see fault with what’s going on. It’s not right. And now Varadker has been told to shut up.
So the only person allowed to talk for FG is Mr Noonan. And even at that it’s sound bites, useless really. The only other people allowed to talk are Labour, and they should save their breath- gone gone gone.
So back to the leader comment- if you can’t stand in front of the populace you reckon you represent- don’t. Stand down. ( oh and the population includes all the hard done by, the sick, the elderly, the incapacitated, the homeless and all those middle class people -below you- that are sucking up ALL the bills for you).
@WNM – The state legal team advises on strategy to defend legal claims against the state not the Taoiseach. I disagree with the ECHR decision as do many other European countries who believe in separate liability.
James if referring to Kenny as a ‘puppet’ is an opinion so be it.
so was bosco
Hugh? Is that you? Background colour matches your shirt.
Roll on GE2015!
Banking inquiry just a Mea Culpa whitewash…
Moriarity
Fennelly
Just milestones on the degradation of Irish Democracy…
Don’t be so hard on poor Enda, the minute his German puppet masters give him a date for the GE he will let us know.
Saying that Enda is unlikely to call an election early because it wil collapse the inquiry at a cost of €5million is a weak argument. The IW debacle alone is proof enough that €5 million is chump change to him and his acolytes.
you have 1 vote…use it wisely…..forget about 2,3,4…it’s all marketing!
One of the only real powers, unilateral powers a Taoiseach has, is to name the date of an election. Something tells me Kenny can’t even do that right. And who is Kenny’s “spokesperson” mentioned in the article? I’d like to know who they are to say they seem to know more about when the citizens of this country will have their say, than the citizens themselves.
Kenny is the most ‘managed’ Taoiseach this country has ever had.He may be Taoiseach but someone else is in the driving seat.
well whoever that person is they deserve great credit as the economy is booming
james it was Brian Lenihen that put the plan in place that FG are trying to take credit for.No creditability attacking FF when it was their policies followed. #creditwhereitsdue
Lenehan was forced to adopt FG principals to save the economy his party crashed.
Of course FG would continue with their own policies.
OTV so now you’re rewriting history, although you managed to go from professional DJ to IT specialist in a week, why am I not surprised. The delusion is strong with this one. ; )
i look forward to years of hearing about it during FG second term
I hope the pr**k is watching prime time tonight. He is an absolute disgrace to the office.
Hugh absolutely worships Enda. .what will you do when he’s gone jump into bed with someone else
Enda Kenny 3/10 with bookies to be next Taoiseach. Leftie Loons can whinge and moan and throw whatever vitriol the way of people who don’t agree with them but they will sooner or later have to face up to the reality and fact that Enda Kenny will still be Taoiseach this time next year.
Would that be the same bookies that paid out early on Greece voting yes or the same bookies that got it wrong on the seanad.
So who will be in power after the next election?
Come on little one, who is your money going on? Put your neck on the line
Enda’s reelection in Mayo is looking dodgy considering developments over the weekend. : )
Nah, I don’t gamble my money. To be honest its none of your business who I will vote for. But let’s say it won’t be FF for obvious reasons. It won’t be FG or LABOUR. Because these three are the same, self serving lying . these three have been in government between them since the foundation of the state and have wrecked the country financially and social.
would you trust a bookie seamus?
I’d like to think Alan that people have seen through the lies and the corruption and will vote with their heads. There are plenty of alternatives to choose from, the mentality of ‘sure there’s no one else’ is utter rubbish.
I’m not asking you who you will vote for, I’m asking you who you think the next Taoiseach will be. I’m asking your opinion not for you to gamble your money.
It’s not a question of trusting a bookie. 3/10 are good odds, offered by all the big bookmaking firms. Those odds suggest that Kenny is a VERY strong favourite to be returned to power.
I didn’t ask who anyone would vote for. I asked who people believe will form the next givernment/
or government even
He has to win a seat yet in Mayo. Some would say his odds on that are not great. After all he did have to hire a pr man on taxpayers money in Mayo.Taoiseach Enda Kenny splashed out more than €50,000 of taxpayer’s money on a new personal assistant to boost his local profile as fears grow about his support plummeting in Mayo
Renua. I saw herself on Vincit Browne last night. What a gruesome taoiseach she’d make.
Littleone there is speculation that ‘Ming’ may run in Mayo.
Wake up little one, stop seeing what you want to see, hearing what you want to hear! Kenny WILL be re-elected in mayo and WILL be next Taoiseach.
That’s not because I want him as next Taoiseach, or that I’ll even be voting for his party in next election. It’s because it’s what the people will vote for. Like it or not they will be returned to power. I won’t say I told you so when it happens, I’ll let you come to terms with it yourself!!!
Séamus nothing is guaranteed at election time. ; )
@ Seamus O’ Tiomain. Do we have to stop our mindless speculation immediately or can we just see out the evening?
@ Seamus. Irish Water is a spanner in the works and is an entirely precarious position. When the time comes… I will tell you so.
Bit sad Seamus that you have to rely on the bookies for your hopes…
bookies get it right more often than not, hence the reason hey do so well. 3/10. that really has got to hurt the shinners :D
Kenny is constantly ducking and diving he wouldn’t lead ducks to water. It looks more like hes thinking about his pension these days than any election
FG/Renua & Social Democrats would make a great government in 2016.
Ha keep dreaming pal
SF/FF keep asking the same question, Kenny keeps giving the same answer.
It must be like dealing with the kids in the back of the car “are we there yet? are we there yet? are we there yet?”
Looking for the dummy to shut them up
Who cares!! I really wish we could vote them all out and stick it on autopilot for a few years, chances are we’d all be better off
have your say