As the autumn selling season for new homes swings into action, a noticeable shortage of large-scale developments and brand new launches at this stage may cause some unease among first-time buyers. All the indications are that a range of large new developments earmarked for the greater Dublin area are not likely to get under way until the new year, either because sites have not yet been serviced or planning permission obtained.
Among these are large sites at Blanchardstown hospital, the former racecourses at Phoenix Park and Baldoyle, and several sites in west Dublin, including the Airlie Stud at Lucan. Once the present hold-ups are overcome, buyers will have a wide choice of houses, mainly in west and north Dublin. The market is currently experiencing a temporary shift in large-scale developments to commuter towns well outside Dublin - Athy, Drogheda, Navan and even Mullingar - all aimed at the competitive first-time buyers' market.
Forty of the 65 houses sold at Johnstown Wood, Navan, last June were bought by Dublin commuters, according to selling agent Raymond Potterton. A second phase offering four-bedroom houses at around £150,000 will be launched in October.
Also in the Navan area, 140 three bedroom semi-detached houses starting at around £100,000 will be launched at Bailis Downs, Athlumney by Raymond Potterton on September 4th. Cluain Mhor, a development of 30 detached four-bedroom and five-bedroom houses at Clonmellon, Co Meath, is to be sold off plans in September. And in Carlow, a small scheme of two-bedroom up to four-bedroom apartments and townhouses will be on the market in late September through Hooke & MacDonald. Builder Sean McKeon, who was responsible for the Ridgewood scheme in Swords, is launching a development of over 500 keenly-priced three-bed and four-bed semis at Lakepoint Park, Mullingar, next month, also through Hooke & MacDonald.
Gunne will be handling house schemes coming up at the Ros na Ri scheme, Navan; Rathbride Manor, Co Kildare; Deravarra, Co Westmeath, and North Glebe, Kildare. Current developments include Alderbrook, at Ashbourne; St Margaret's, Dublin 11; Glebe Hall, Kilmessan; and Clogherhead, Co Louth. The next phase of the Ridgewood development in Swords will be released early next month. The 18 three-bedroom and four-bedroom houses will sell for £135,000-plus and there is a waiting list, according to agents Hooke & MacDonald. Also on the northside, 70 three-bed and four-bed semis and two-bedroom duplexes and apartments at Beaumont Woods will be for sale through Hamilton Osborne King from £140,000 in late October. Activity west of the city has slowed down this autumn because of the current scarcity of development land with planning. That said, Leahy Property Consultants is marketing the second phase of Oldbridge, Lucan. Three bedroom semi-detached houses are priced from £127,500.
Also in Lucan, 80 three-bedroom and four-bedroom houses costing from £135,000 at John's Wood will be released at the end of next month, while 60 four-bedroom semis and detached houses at Mount Andrew's costing from £150,000 will come on stream next month. A further 35 three-bedroom semis in the £140,000 price bracket at Finnstown will be available from early October. Further out, Gerry Leahy will be selling 40 four-bedroom semidetached and detached houses in the next phase of Lutterell Hall, Dunboyne. There will be 80 three and four-bedroom houses for sale at Rhebane Manor, Athy, Co Kildare, from mid-September. In early October, a new scheme of 36 four-bedroom detached bungalows at The Gallops, Kells, Co Meath, will go on the market at £125,000.
The Charnwood scheme at Clonsilla is entering its second phase next month with 40 threebed and four-bed semis selling from £135,000 with joint agents Sherry FitzGerald and Douglas Newman Good. Early next month, the Ross McParland agency is due to launch a development of 135 three-bedroom and four-bedroom semis at Hazelbury Green, in Clonee, Co Meath. The agency will also be handing the sale of 48 two-bedroom apartments at Thornbury, near Clonee, and 70 three-bed and four-bed semis and five-bedroom detached units for Dwyer Nolan at Mornington, Co Meath. Buyers will also be able to book 20 apartments off the plans at Chapelizod, and a selection of three-bedroom and four-bedroom homes at Wathley, in Kilmacud.
New property in south Dublin has traditionally attracted higher prices and buyers are generally trading up. Shannon Homes's St Gabriel's scheme at Cabinteely will be going on the market in October. Prices have not been finalised. There will be 60 four-bedroom and five-bedroom houses and a further 60 two-bed and three-bed apartments on offer. The agent is Hooke & MacDonald. Early next month, Ellier Development will be launching on the market 60 three-bedroom to five-bedroom houses at its Woodstown Village scheme, at Knocklyon. Firm prices are not yet available, according to agent Sherry FitzGerald, but three-bedroom houses at the scheme were priced last May from £150,000. The same agent is selling two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments at Manor Grove and adjoining Wainsfort Manor, Terenure, in Dublin 6, from £150,000.
Next month, Sherry FitzGerald will also be selling 14 loft-style apartments from 800 sq ft to 2,500 sq ft at The Warehouse, Clanbrassil Terrace, in The Liberties. These will cost between £180,000 and £500,000. They will also be marketing a small infill apartment scheme on Pembroke Row, off Baggot Street, which will comprise 10 one-bed and two-bed apartments priced from £175,000.
The Pavilion, in Dun Laoghaire, is well under way and the showhouse will be ready soon, according to agent Sherry FitzGerald. A further 20 to 25 apartments are being released in October, costing £210,000 for a one-bedroom unit.
Mid-September will see the launch of 32 houses at Druid's Valley, Cabinteely, through Sherry FitzGerald. A total of 16 three-bed up to five-bed houses will be for sale from £190,000. A further phase of one-bedroom up to three-bedroom apartments will be available at Riverpark, on Conyngham Road, beside the Phoenix Park, through Hamilton Osborne King at the end of next month. The same agents are also selling two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments at Linden, Blackrock, Co Dublin, priced from £270,000.
Douglas Newman Good is selling four-bed detached houses at Rectory Way, Bray, from £320,000; three and four-bedroom houses at Kiltipper Road, Dublin 24, from £130,000; three-bed semis at Mountain View, Tallaght, from the late £90,000s; three-bed houses at Hazelgrove, Tallaght, from £100,000 and apartments and bungalows at The Belfry, Kilbarrack, from £140,000. The numbers of new developments still at the planning stage offer hope to people anxious to buy a new home. There is every reason to play a waiting game.
