Major new housing developments for Balbriggan and Skerries officially underway

Fingal County Council has welcomed the commencement of two new affordable and social housing developments which, when completed, will deliver in excess of 1,100 homes to the Fingal area. The official sod-turning ceremonies, attended by representatives of Fingal County Council, the Land Development Agency (LDA), Lydon, Ballymore, and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, marked a major milestone in the delivery of affordable homes in Fingal.

Hampton Demesne, formerly known as Castlelands, will comprise a total of 817 homes, including 377 houses and 440 apartments in Balbriggan, and will be constructed in partnership with Ballymore. The development will include a childcare facility, playground, café and recreational amenities for children of all age groups.

Priory Fields, formerly Hacketstown, will deliver 345 homes, including 39 houses and 306 apartments and duplexes in Skerries. These 345 will be broken down into 101 social houses, 117 cost rental homes, and 127 affordable purchase homes. The proposed low-rise development will include a crèche, community space and pedestrian and cycle routes.

Speaking at the sod turning, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, said: “I’m really pleased to see these two major projects for 1,162 new homes underway. The homes will provide a great opportunity for families to make their home within the wonderful communities of Balbriggan and Skerries. Community infrastructure is a key part of these developments and the €10m Balbriggan Swimming Pool Project in Balbriggan will complement these new homes.”

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly said: “It’s hugely exciting to see work underway on two excellent affordable housing projects in Fingal. This quality and mixed tenure of these developments is exactly what is needed in both communities. I would like to thank and congratulate all partners on their dedication which has brought the projects to this important stage, and I look forward to seeing them completed”.

Phase 1 of the development in Balbriggan includes 207 Affordable Purchase homes and 52 social homes as well as the new Castlelands link road which will connect Hamilton Road and the R127. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. The first phase of Priory Fields will consist of 176 homes and local road and junction upgrades will be delivered in tandem with these new Phase 1 homes.

John Coleman, Chief Executive of the Land Development Agency said: “These are significant developments for the LDA and mark a major delivery milestone in the provision of affordable housing. I would like to recognise the considerable work undertaken by both the LDA and its construction partners Ballymore and Lydon as well as colleagues in Fingal County Council in getting us to this stage for both projects.”

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne said: “This Government’s top priority is to get homes built faster for people who need them. I want people to be access suitable houses in which they can grow up and grow old as part of a community. These projects are a further sign of Government progress to deliver homes for people across the country.”