New homes activity in Wicklow ramps up to meet demand

Estate agent claims 100,000 new homes needed as building progresses around county

Over the next seven years Cairn has the land to deliver up to 1,000 homes. Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA Wire
Over the next seven years Cairn has the land to deliver up to 1,000 homes. Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA Wire

Ireland needs 100,000 new homes, says Derrick McGovern of McGovern Estates in Greystones, where an estimated 300 units have been sold in the last 18 months.

Two publicly listed companies are currently the biggest homebuilders in this Dublin city suburb-on-sea. Over the next seven years Cairn has the land to deliver up to 1,000 homes, says Ivan Gaine, director of Sherry FitzGerald new homes. Last weekend Cairn’s first phase launch at Glenheron sold 48 of 50 properties taking in €25million for three beds priced from €420,000 and four beds priced from €495,000.

Glenveagh is concentrating its efforts behind Marina Village, where four-bed semis of 215sq m, with direct sea views are priced from €950,000 and on view by appointment through SherryFitz new homes. The long-awaited one-, two- and three-bed apartments in this scheme are due to launch in early summer.

In Blacklion, Wood Group Homes launches SeaGreen Gate in a fortnight’s time with four-bed townhouses; mid- and end-of-terrace and semi-detached properties, predominately 140sq m in size, starting from €470,000.

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At Waverley, also Blacklion, Newlyn Developments is bringing three-, four- and five-bed semi and detached houses, 109sq m to 165sq m in size, to market in May or June with prices in line with other new home asking prices in the town. Its selling agents are SherryFitzGerald new homes and Kelly Walsh.

Small development

There is a limited number of new homes schemes in Bray. Genesis Homes is constructing a small development of six four-bed semis at Waterside Mews, on the Dargle Road, seeking €575,000 through REA Forkin.

In Wicklow town a number of big new homes schemes are proposed, which wouldn’t have been the case last year, says Catherine O’Reilly, of SherryFitzGerald Catherine O’Reilly. “It is a continually improving pictured with planning permission in Tinakilly for 271 properties. You won’t see the same level of development in Newcastle, Rathdrum or Brittas Bay as there isn’t going to be the same investment into mains services here.”

North of Wicklow town is Sea Scape in Keatingstown, where 43 three-, four- and five-bed houses are being constructed by Ballyneerin Developments. Eight houses are currently being sold off plans with prices starting at €338,000 through agent JP&M Doyle

Construction has started on Ballinahinch Woods in Ashford where Ardstone Homes is building 169 two-, three-, four- and five-bed homes.

Next phase

In Newtownmountkennedy joint agents SherryFitz new homes and Park Auctioneers hope to launch the next phase of Wicklow Hills towards the end of the year. It’s a scheme of 40 two-, three- and four-bed houses of between 75 sq m and 112sq m.

An off-plan launch of the first 15 houses at Ternlee, a development of 59 homes, in Kilcoole, also by Newlyn Developments, took place before Easter and sold out. A second launch from the showhouses is planned for early summer. The three- and four-bed semi and detached homes, measure between 108sq m and 127sq m.

Woodpark, on Glendalough Road in Rathdrum, is a cul de sac estate of 36 three- and four-bed semi and detached homes from €242,000 selling through SherryFitzGerald Myles Doyle.