Call for more social and affordable housing at Poolbeg ‘urban quarter’

Dublin city councillors have called for an increase in the amount of social and affordable housing which will be provided in the new Poolbeg peninsula urban quarter.

Up to 3,000 homes are to be built on the former Irish Glass Bottle site and surrounding lands using fast-track planning approved by the Government.

Under current planning rules only 10 per cent of the homes will have to be reserved for social housing.

Councillors are calling for this to be increased and for land in the new Poolbeg Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) to be reserved for affordable rental housing for low-income workers.

"We would be looking for 30 per cent social housing, as well as affordable and cost-rental housing. Pearse Street, Ringsend and the north quays have been significantly affected by the housing crisis," local Sinn Féin councillor Chris Andrews said.

New model

Green Party leader

Eamon Ryan

said the development had the potential to rival the great housing projects of the 1930s.

“We would like to see the Glass Bottle site used as a test location for a new cost-rental model of social and affordable housing. A new form of social, affordable and sustainable mixed development at the heart of Dublin would send the right message: that the Government is committed to tackling the housing crisis in the most equitable and fair manner possible,” Mr Ryan said.

Fianna Fáil said at least 20 per cent of homes should be reserved for social housing.