Agreement paves the way for 350 homes at ESB Wilton site

ESB and the Land Development Agency (LDA) have reached an agreement on the transfer of a greenfield site in Wilton earmarked for the development of hundreds of new homes.

The land being transferred by ESB is located at the energy utility’s Sarsfield Road site in Wilton.

Plans for housing at the site have been in the pipeline, with a Housing for All Q1 2024 Progress Report published in April, stating that it was envisaged that the lands would transfer to the LDA in the final quarter of 2024.

Following news of the transfer agreement, a local councillor has called for the construction of the new homes to be “fast-tracked”.

In an update yesterday, the LDA said it has appointed a design team for the project, and is expecting to make a planning application for about 350 new homes in Q1 of next year.

Mix

The proposed homes, the LDA said, will include a mix of affordable houses for sale and cost-rental apartments.

Subject to planning approval, the agency said construction could start in early 2026, with the first homes being delivered in late 2028.

“This is another positive development for the LDA as the agency continues to ramp up the delivery of affordable new homes,” said LDA chief executive John Coleman.

“This planned development will have the potential to provide much-needed housing and new facilities in a desirable area alongside established communities and close to a range of existing amenities and services.

“The LDA is actively working with State bodies to access State-owned land that has the potential to deliver thousands of homes.

“I would like to thank the ESB for making this land available and working closely with us to conclude its transfer.

“There is an opportunity for State bodies to create a lasting legacy by making land available, and that is certainly true in this instance.”

Much needed housing

ESB chief executive Paddy Hayes said the site “will make an important contribution to the development of much-needed housing”.

As part of the planning process for the land, the LDA said it intends to undertake extensive public consultation and will publish framework and vision documents to facilitate this process ahead of any planning application being made.

Speaking to The Echo, Labour councillor for the city’s South West ward Laura Harmon, who lives in Wilton, said she welcomes plans for new homes at the site but said she would like to see the construction of such units fast-tracked.

“I very much welcome that this land is being made available for affordable housing,” she said. “It’s important that the housing being built will be truly affordable to people and also that the building is fast-tracked.

“Late 2028 is more than four years away — that is a long time for people to wait who need housing today.”

Fianna Fáil councillor Terry Coleman also welcomed plans for new homes at the 2.7-hectare site located next to Wilton Shopping Centre.

“Housing people is one of the Government’s top priorities, and this will help to deliver homes for many people and families alike,” he said.

“It is imperative that the scale and mix of this development is in line with the area.

“We already have a great road network there.

“But, we will have to continue to work hard to improve the bus connectivity in order to service the potential new residents.

“We need to see improvements with both reliability and the number of buses on these routes.”