On Friday last, An Bord Pleanála granted fast tracked planning permission for a development including over 700 “build-to-rent” apartments beside Connolly Station.

In light of this decision, there was unanimous support for Mary’s emergency motion to Dublin City Council, calling for newly elected TDs for Dublin Central to stop the give away of public land. The motion calls for development of a sustainable, urban, residential community with state built social and affordable homes.

In October 2019 Mary objected to the proposed Strategic Housing Development because it offered no social and affordable homes, is solely “build to rent” type accommodation and creates no opportunity for long term sustainable community living.

This prime, 7 acre, state owned, inner city site is zoned and serviced for housing, served by all modes of public transport has endless employment and amenities at hand is a uniquely ideal site to create a sustainable, stable, urban community in the heart of our inner city.

Mary urges the new TD’s for Dublin Central to seize the opportunity and use this site to have the state deliver desperately needed social and affordable homes in a part of the city where there is less than 10% homeownership and the housing need couldn’t be greater.