LATEST: 1,000 new homes could be built on this site in Kildare - says state body

The Land Development Agency (LDA) has announced the acquisition of two significant greenfield sites including one in Celbridge, Co. Kildare.

Subject to planning permission and standard construction timelines, the two sites have the potential to deliver approx. 7,000 new homes, complemented by a range of community amenities, facilities, and open spaces.

The sites were acquired by the LDA from the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA).

The 34-hectare Celbridge site is zoned for new residential purposes under the Celbridge Local Area Plan 2017–2023.

The site, which will deliver almost 1,000 new homes, benefits from excellent public transport connectivity.

Existing bus stops are located on the Dublin Road, Shinkeen Road, and within walking distance of Primrose Hill and Celbridge town centre.

The Hazelhatch & Celbridge train station is approximately 1.9km south of the site and offers frequent commuter and intercity rail services, connecting to Dublin Heuston and cities including Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford. Road connectivity is also strong, with proximity to the M4 motorway providing direct links to Dublin and regional towns including Maynooth, Kilcock, and Enfield.

The area is already well-served by a range of social and community amenities, including Celbridge Primary Care Centre, St. Wolstan’s Shopping Centre, and a wide selection of primary and secondary schools. The location’s proximity to key employment centres further supports its suitability for residential development.

These acquisitions represent a significant opportunity to advance the delivery of much-needed affordable housing in Kildare and the Greater Dublin Area. They will contribute meaningfully to the transformation of underutilised greenfield land into a vibrant, sustainable residential communities.

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The 86-hectare Lissenhall site is located 2km north of Swords town centre and west of the M1 motorway and presents a transformative opportunity for urban regeneration. The land includes the proposed MetroLink Estuary terminus, which will provide an excellent transport link into Dublin city centre. The LDA will work closely with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and MetroLink, in consultation with Fingal County Council, in developing a wider plan for the area including the provision of c. 6,000 homes alongside new commercial and community amenities.

The site is zoned Metro Economic Corridor and, long term, has the potential to deliver a new town adjacent to Swords in north Co. Dublin.

John Coleman, Chief Executive of the Land Development Agency said: ‘We are pleased to announce these significant land acquisitions in Co. Dublin and Co. Kildare from NAMA. We thank colleagues in NAMA and the Departments of Finance and Housing for working with us on the transfer of these lands. The LDA is firmly committed to using every lever available to unlock underutilised land for the provision of affordable housing. Through transfers of State-owned land, partnerships with local authorities and through our own land acquisitions, the LDA has a strong and growing delivery pipeline.

‘Kildare and the Greater Dublin Area is a fast-developing and strategically important region with a pressing housing need and we are delighted to acquire these important sites for the delivery of much needed new homes.’

About the Land Development Agency

The Land Development Agency (LDA) is the State’s affordable housing delivery body. Its main role is to acquire and develop State and other land to deliver affordable homes to address the country’s housing need.

The Agency has commenced construction on various state sourced and privately acquired land and has a delivery pipeline in excess of 25,000 homes through its direct delivery and homebuilder partnership channels.

Additionally, the LDA undertakes work on large-scale longer-term strategic areas by master-planning and bringing forward planning applications in locations such as Limerick Colbert Quarter, the Digital Hub in Dublin and Sandy Road in Galway.

The LDA is also responsible for a range of public functions including research, master planning and the development of construction guidelines and best practices. The LDA has produced and now regularly updates the Report on Relevant Public Land, which identified 102 State owned sites with the potential for 70,830 homes.