For many reading about plans to build 18,500 homes in Dunsink, north Dublin on a site that stretches to more than 1,000 acres, it will be the huge number of houses proposed that stands out, an amount that could accommodate 45,000-50,000 residents.
Others might be surprised that such a large swathe of Dublin land, inside the M50 and surrounded by the well-established suburbs of Finglas, Ashtown, Blanchardstown and Castleknock has remained undeveloped.
The reason Dunsink remained virtually untouched by construction during successive housebuilding booms was largely down to the presence of Dublin’s largest landfill, which occupies much of the northern third of the area. The landfill closed more than 20 years ago, but ever since it has been subject to environmental monitoring and the collection of leachate and gas. The “restoration and redevelopment” project to decontaminate the site, is due to be completed by 2030.
The ground on top of the landfill, a grassed-over but unnaturally raised mound in the middle of an otherwise largely flat landscape, will probably never be suitable for housing, and the council does not plan to build on this area, but instead has designated it for a regional park. This amenity would serve the new homes, that will be built in blocks up to 15 storeys high south of the old landfill, as well as the existing communities.
RM Block
The impending remediation of the old dump explains why the country council feels the time is right to build on the Dunsink lands, but it does not entirely explain the huge volume of housing planned in the council’s draft Dunsink Urban Area Plan. Three years ago, the Departments of Housing and Transport commissioned a report which found Dunsink had the potential for “intensive” residential development which could see as many as 7,000 homes built. This figure was predicated on the development of future transport links including Dart+West and Luas extensions as well as exploiting the existing capacity of rail stations at Ashtown and Navan Road Parkway.
For many local residents, the idea that more than two-and-a-half times that “intensive” number of homes could be built on the land has come as a surprise. Almost 400 people made submissions on the draft plan with many citing the current lack of public transport and the fact the Luas line through the land is not due to be developed until after 2042. Many argued that the local road network would not be able to cope, while nervousness remains about building on the landfill site.
It all underlines the challenges of developing at scale beside existing suburban areas. And of providing the necessary infrastructure – as well as public transport, Irish Water warns planned new sewage and water projects are needed to allow it to proceed. But the extent of the housing crisis demands that a way forward is found.
