Aoibhin Bryant

Jan 12

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Green light for €330m Astellas facility in Kerry

By Aoibhin Bryant | Upcoming Construction Projects

Kerry County Council has given the green light to Astellas €330 million plan to construct a new production facility.

The pharmaceutical company will build a new three-storey state-of-the-art facility at the IDA’s green-field site Kerry Technology Park near Tralee, Co Kerry.

The project will take place over two phases and will see the construction of a three-storey ‘FillFinish’ production building covering an overall floor area of 19,989 sqm.

A Central Utilies Building with a floor area of 663sqm

In Phase One, a woodchip boiler building, an electrical switch room, a security office building and a sprinkler pump house will all be built.

A wastewater pre-treatment plant with an associated storage tank will begin construction during Phase One. A second storage tank will be built during Phase Two.

Plans were submitted on November 2023 with the council approving on 19 December 2023.

Construction is expected to start later this year, creating an estimated 600 jobs.

Speaking during the announcement of the project, Astellas’ Chief Manufacturing Officer Hideki Shima said that the company “is developing innovative drugs and technologies based on our Focus Area research and development approach, placing patients at the forefront of everything we do.”

“With the new facility, Astellas will aim to strengthen our in-house production capacity and capabilities and ensure a stable supply of high-quality Astellas medicines to patients around the world.”

Michael Lohan, CEO at IDA welcomed the announcement as “excellent news for the South West region and indeed Ireland”.

“Astellas already has a presence in both Kerry and Dublin and this significant investment of approximately €330 million, adding a new state-of-the-art aseptic drug product facility, underscores the strategic importance Ireland plays in Astellas’ global operations.

“The new facility in Tralee will be built with sustainability at its core and will showcase Ireland and our regional attractiveness as a location for investment.”

Feature Image Credit: PM Group

Jan 02

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Construction begins on €55m residential development for Drogheda

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

Work has started on the €55 million Strategic Housing Development (SHD) on Old Slane Road in Drogheda, Co Louth.

The development, spearheaded by Lagan Homes Ireland Ltd, promises 237 new homes – 86 of which are houses and 151 duplexes and apartments.

Houses will range from one to three storeys with offerings of detached, semi-detached and terraced/townhouses.

In regards to the apartments, they will be hosted in buildings ranging from one to five storeys tall with 19 one-beds, 98 two-beds, 99 three-beds and 21 four-beds.

An Bord Pleanála gave the stamp of approval in February 2022, subject to conditions.

Work has started on the €55 million Strategic Housing Development (SHD) on Old Slane Road in Drogheda, Co Louth. Credit: DWDS

Construction then commenced on November 27 with the erection of 1-7 and 14-30 Gort Mell, Old Slane Road, Drogheda Co Louth.

On December 11, work also began on 8-13 Gort Mell, Old Slane Road, Drogheda Co Louth.

A creche is also set to be built on the site, with the hopes of providing 65 spaces for children.

An undercroft car park will be installed for Apartment Block 5.

Residents will have the option to install photovoltaic/solar panels on the front/rear roof slopes of the buildings, depending on orientation.

The development, spearheaded by Lagan Homes Ireland Ltd, promises 237 new homes – 86 of which are houses and 151 duplexes and apartments. Credit: DWDS

In terms of public open spaces, developers hope to have c.9,240sqm of area for residents, excluding the Mell Stream and the motorway bugger area.

A footpath with public lighting will also be constructed from the northern boundary of the site all along to the southern side – providing pedestrian-only access to the M1 Retail Park.

Feature Image Credit: DWDS

Dec 21

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Green light for €202m housing development in Ashbourne, Meath

By Aoibhin Bryant | Upcoming Construction Projects

An Bord Pleanála has approved a €202 million housing development in Ashbourne.

Arnub Ltd & Aspect Homes Ltd were given the green light to proceed with their plan of delivering hundreds of homes in the townlands of Baltrasna and Milltown, Ashbourne, Co Meath.

In November, the planning body granted permission with 29 conditions.

Among these conditions, ABP ruled that around 185 of the homes (165 number houses and 20 number apartment/duplex units) shall be omitted from the plans – reducing the total residential units from the planned 702 to 517.

Arnub Ltd & Aspect Homes Ltd were given the green light to proceed with their plan of delivering hundreds of homes in the townlands of Baltrasna and Milltown, Ashbourne, Co Meath. Credit: 3D Design Bureau

All existing structures will be demolished on the site, including three single-storey dwellings and their associated outbuildings.

In its place, 255 houses and 262 apartments are to be built.

Of the homes, there will be a range of two to three-storey houses, from detached semi-detached and terraces and will offer up to two to five bedrooms.

Meanwhile, the apartments are set to have 18 three-bed duplex units and 244 one, two and three-bed apartments across 20 buildings ranging from three to six storeys.

ABP ruled that both Apartment Block A and Apartment Block B will be reduced in height by a single storey, dropping them down to a maximum of five to three storeys only.

Meanwhile, the apartments are set to have 18 three-bed duplex units and 244 one, two and three-bed apartments across 20 buildings ranging from three to six storeys. Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Non-residential amenities will include two childcare care facilities located in Blocks A and A1, four retail units (two in Block A one in Block A1 and another in Block B1), and a GP practice in Block A1.

A hectare of space is also reserved for a future school site and a playing pitch to the west of the site.

A basement-level car park is planned for Block A1 with two undercroft car parks located at Block A and Block B1.

ABP ruled that visitor parking spaces at Unit Type G1 will be omitted and replaced with soft landscaping.

Vehicular access to the development is planned via Cherry Lane off the Dublin Road to the northeast and Hickey’s Lane off the Dublin Road to the east.

A pedestrian/bicycle green link access point from Dublin Road (R135) is planned for the site, along with pedestrian and cycle paths throughout the development. Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Roads will be improved along Cherry Lane and Hickey’s Lane as part of the development.

A pedestrian/bicycle green link access point from Dublin Road (R135) is planned for the site, along with pedestrian and cycle paths throughout the development.

Feature Image Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Dec 08

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Work begins on €127m housing development in Charlestown, Co Dublin

By Aoibhin Bryant | Upcoming Construction Projects

The building of a €127 million housing development in Charlestown, Co Dublin has commenced.

Work began on constructing two apartment blocks (Building A and Building B) as part of an ambitious 590-apartment development in the north corner of the county.

The project, led by Puddenhill Property Limited, will consist of four apartment blocks in total, comprising 234 one-bed units, two-bed units and 40 three-bed units.

Block 1 will measure up to ten storeys high with 211 apartments (91 one-beds, 106 two-beds and 14 three-beds), terraces, balconies and a roof garden.

A retail unit, three office suites and a creche are also planned at the ground and first-floor levels.

The building of a €127 million housing development in Charlestown, Co Dublin has commenced. Credit: Model Works

Block 2 is smaller at seven storeys, offering 184 apartments ( 57 one-beds, 123 two-beds and four three-beds), also with a roof garden.

A retail unit, an office suite and a health/medical centre are to be constructed at the ground floor.

At eight storeys high, Block 3 promises 95 apartments (54 one-beds, 34 two-beds, and 7 three-beds).

Block 4 is the smallest at six storeys and 100 apartments (32 one-beds, 53 two-beds and 15 three-beds) and a roof garden.

All apartment blocks will be provided with balconies and terraces for residents.

The project, led by Puddenhill Property Limited, will consist of four apartment blocks in total, comprising 234 one-bed units, two-bed units and 40 three-bed units. Credit: Model Works

Vehicular access to the development will be provided from Charlestown Place. The existing pedestrian access from the Charlestown Shopping Centre will be re-located to align with the pedestrian boulevard on the site.

Around 515 car parking spaces and 1068 cycle parking spaces will be provided at basement and surface levels.

Work on the site officially began on November 30.

An Bord Pleanála (ABP) gave the project the green light on September 21, 2021, after Puddenhill Property Limited submitted plans in May of that year.

Despite the application receiving several objections from Dublin North-West TDs, ABP found that “the proposed development would constitute an acceptable residential density in this urban location, would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area, would be acceptable in terms of urban design, height and quantum of development and would be acceptable in terms of traffic and pedestrian safety and convenience”.

Feature Image Credit: Model Works

Nov 28

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Plans applied for €45m housing development on historic site in Limerick

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

A planning application has been applied for a €45 million housing development in Limerick.

Developers hope to build the Large-Scale Residential Development (LRD) on the site of the former Ardhú House off Ennis Road.

The project hopes to change the use of the historical Ardhú House from commercial to residential use – demolishing all 20th-century extensions to the front, rear and side.

The protected structure will then be converted into four new apartments.

Developers Tribeca Asset Management Limited also hope to build seven detached two-storey houses on the site.

These will be accessed by an existing entrance on Roses Avenue.

Developers hope to build the Large-Scale Residential Development (LRD) on the site of the former Ardhú House off Ennis Road. Credit: G-Net 3D

The largest component of the development will see the erection of 167 apartments across five apartment blocks.

Varying from three to five storeys each, Block 1 will host 46 apartments with 17 one-beds and 29 two-beds.

Block 2 will be a part four and part five-storey building, comprising a creche with an outdoor play area on the ground floor and 26 apartments from the ground to the fourth floor (12 one-beds, 13 two-beds and one three-bed).

At five storeys, Block 03 will have 24 apartments in total (15 one-beds and nine two-beds).

Of the 44 apartments in Block 04(part four, part five-storey) 26 will be one-beds and 18
will be two-beds.

Finally, Block 05 will be a part three to part five-storey building with 25 apartments (11 one-beds, 14 two-beds) and two duplexes (one one-bed and one three-bed).

The largest component of the development will see the erection of 167 apartments across five apartment blocks. Credit: G-Net 3D

Private balconies/terraces for the apartments are proposed on all elevations for each block.

For Ardhú House, once all non-historic extensions are demolished, a new single-storey glazed extension will be added to the front, as well as another glazed addition to the south of the side wing on the ground floor.

On top of the four new apartments, Ardhú House will be refurbished for other residential amenity uses such as a gym, co-working space and administrative space at ground floor level and a lounge, dining, cinema and games room on the first floor.

Renovating the historic building will involve the removal of some internal walls, internal renovations to walls, ceilings, windows and joinery, repair of facades, repair and renewal of roof fabric and chimneys, repair and renewal of rainwater goods, and all associated conservation works.

For Ardhú House, once all non-historic extensions are demolished, a new single-storey glazed extension will be added to the front, as well as another glazed addition to the south of the side wing on the ground floor. Credit: G-Net 3D

Ancillary works include the relocation of an existing vehicular entrance on Ennis Road 5.5m to the west and the relocation of the vehicular entrances on Roses Avenue to the south.

The existing vehicular entrance on Roses Avenue will be kept to provide pedestrian access and occasional service vehicle access to an ESB Substation and Switchroom only.

The development will also provide 94 car parking spaces, including five accessible spaces, 10 visitor spaces and 19 EV charging spaces.

Public open space and a children’s play area are also planned.

Tribeca Asset Management Limited submitted plans to Limerick City and County Council on 17 November 2023.

Feature Image Credit:G-Net 3D

Nov 20

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Feature Image Credit: David Creedon: Feasibility study 2018

Construction begins on €1bn Celtic Interconnector

By Aoibhin Bryant | Upcoming Construction Projects

Work has officially on the €1 billion Celtic Interconnector project.

A joint Irish and French effort, the Celtic Interconnector is a planned subsea cable that will link the electricity grids between France and Ireland.

EirGrid has been working with its French equivalent Réseau de Transport d’Electricité (RTE) since 2011 to deliver the project.

Expected to run about 500km in length, it will connect the existing substation in Knockraha, Co Cork to La Martyre in France.

The French electricity cable will run undersea from Brittany, northern France.

It will then make landfall in Youghal and then run mainly along the verge side of the main Cork-Waterford road (N25) into Carrigtwohill and then onto Knockraha, hooking it up to the national grid.

As part of plans, a converter station will be constructed to convert the electricity from High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) to Alternating Current (AC).

The 700-megawatt submarine cable will have enough capacity to power around 450,000 homes.

It is expected to be completed in 2026 with full integration to the grid by 2027.

Providing Ireland with a direct electricity link to the European Union, the cable link is a part of the Offshore Network Development Plan.

Because of this, the European Commission is contributing €530.7 million from the commission’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to help complete the design and delivery of the project.

Contracts for the Celtic Interconnector were signed in November 2022, in Paris.

Minister @EamonRyan and French Energy Minister @AgnesRunacher today marked the commencement of construction work on the Celtic Interconnector project.

🇮🇪 and 🇫🇷have also signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on ‘Energy Transition Cooperation’🤝

Read more: https://t.co/hNuBUC9bL1 pic.twitter.com/3XyxavsLMr

— Dept. Environment, Climate and Communications (@Dept_ECC) November 13, 2023

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan welcomed the initiation of the project.

“The commencement of construction on the Celtic Interconnector project marks an important part of our wider energy ambitions. Increased electricity interconnection will be a key enabler in our growing use of renewable energy will also help lower energy prices and play a central role in Ireland’s journey to a net zero power system,” he said.

“It will also better integrate European electricity markets, and by using more diversified energy markets, this will improve our electricity security and resilience.”

French Energy Minister, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, said the Celtic Interconnector will “increase the security of supply both for Ireland and France and contribute to the decarbonisation of our electricity mixes”.

Feature Image Credit: David Creedon: Feasibility study 2018

Nov 14

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Plans applied for €66m residential development in Kerry

By Aoibhin Bryant | Upcoming Construction Projects

Plans for a €66 million Large Scale Development in Kerry have been put forward.

Applicants Ned O’Shea & Sons Construction Ltd have sought permission to construct a 235-unit housing development at Lisloose, just under 2km from Tralee’s town centre.

Plans seek to demolish disused agricultural outhouses and sheds on the lands and construct a range of both houses and apartments in its place.

A total number of 129 houses are hoped to be built, with a breakdown of eight four-bed two-storeys, 83 three-bed two-storeys, 34 two-bed two-storeys and four two-bed dwellings with just one storey.

Permission has been sought to build a 235-unit housing development near Tralee valuing at €66 million. Credit: Brendan Williams

These houses would be built in a mixture of semi-detached and terraced styles.

Of the 106 apartments, 48 will be one-beds built across 12 two-storey blocks of four apartments each.

A further 20 one-bed and 22 two-bed apartments will be constructed for two four-storey apartment blocks (Blocks J1 and J2).

Each block will provide 10 one-beds and 11 two-beds respectively.

A further eight one-beds and eight two-beds are also planned to be built.

A total number of 129 houses and 106 apartments are planned for the Large Scale Residential Development, alongside a retail unit and creche. Credit: Brendan Williams

On top of residential dwellings, the applicants aspire to build a retail unit and a creche in one of the apartment blocks.

The plans have parking spaces for 372 cars and 349 bicycles.

Shared open spaces for residents are included in plans, as well as landscaping and all other associated and ancillary site works.

Ned O’Shea & Sons Construction Ltd put forward their plans to Kerry County Council in October of this year.

Featured Image Credit: Brendan Williams

Nov 02

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Construction begins on €72.5m Citywest Drive SHD in Dublin

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

Work on the €72.5 million Citywest Drive Strategic Housing Development (SHD) is officially underway.

On October 25, construction began on the first apartment block of the development on the lands at the Citywest Shopping Centre at Fortunestown, Dublin 24, South of Fortunestown Lane and West of Citywest Road.

The block (which has been dubbed ‘The Hazel’) is set to reach four storeys in height.

Known as Carrigmore Woods, the SHD will provide 290 homes in total across six blocks – Block A (The Oak), Block B (The Birch) & Block C (The Willow), Block D (The Hazel), Block E (The Hawthorn) and Block F (The Alder).

Each block will vary from four to six storeys above ground and provide balconies/terraces on all elevations.

Of the 290 apartments, 106 are set to be one-beds, 144 will be two-beds and 40 are to be three-beds.

Associated residential amenity facilities such as a childcare facility, four retail units and two café / restaurant units are included in current provisions.

Pedestrian walkways and lighting, cycle links, green roofs and waste facilities will also be provided for residents as well as 153 car spaces and 298 bicycle parking spaces.

Of the 2.9-hectare site, approximately 8% will be cordoned off for open spaces such as courtyards, children’s play areas and an outdoor gym.

Developers Ardstone Residential Partners Fund ICAV and OBSF (1) Ltd first submitted plans for the site over four years ago on October 21, 2019.

They received An Bord Pleanála’s stamp of approval with conditions in January 2020 with work finally commencing in October of this year.

Feature Image Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Oct 25

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Work begins on £100m Belfast Airport Revamp

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

Work has begun on the £100 million revamp at Belfast International Airport.

The extension will see a brand new security building for the airport in a five-year expansion plan.

In this building, Generation 3 x-ray equipment will be installed to keep the airport in line with the United Kingdom’s new guidelines.

The plan put forward by the airport’s owner VINCI Airports also sees an update to existing facilities, including an improved airside departure area with additional departure gates and extra seating.

Travellers in the future will be treated to extra shopping and catering facilities.

The Border Force area will also be extended over the next five years.

Phase one began this October with the demolition of the old arrivals terminal. Work will then commence on the construction of the new £25 million security building, next to the departures terminal.

It is estimated that 400 local construction jobs will be created for the duration of the build.

“VINCI Airports’ investment will support Belfast International Airport’s positive dynamic by strongly improving the passenger experience,” said Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions & President of VINCI Airports.

“The airport plays a pivotal role for aviation, tourism and the wider local economy. As a long-term partner, VINCI Airports is committed to sustainably develop the airport and increase its environmental performance”.

In December of last year, the UK government set a deadline of June 2024 for all of its airports to install the new Standard 3 x-ray equipment.

The new x-ray machines will see an end to 100ml liquid restrictions when travelling.

Instead, passengers will no longer have to take liquids and large electrical items out of their cabin luggage while going through security.

“The tiny toiletry has become a staple of airport security checkpoints, but that’s all set to change. I’m streamlining cabin bag rules at airports while enhancing security,” UK’s Transport Secretary Mark Harper said at the time.

“By 2024, major airports across the UK will have the latest security tech installed, reducing queuing times, improving the passenger experience, and most importantly detecting potential threat.”

Feature Image Credit: VINCI-Airports.com

Oct 11

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Plans applied for €193m 716-home residential development in Meath

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

AZRA Property Company Limited has put forward plans to deliver 716 new homes in Co Meath.

The applicants have applied for a ten-year contract to construct the €193 million development on the townlands of Castle Farm, Ruskin, and Clonee on a site of approximately 16.92HA.

Developers hope to build a mixture of apartments, duplexes, and terraced, semi-detached and detached houses of two storeys.

There will be 517 apartments in total –123 one-beds, 378 two-beds and 60 three-beds across eight blocks varying in height from four to seven storeys.

There will be 517 apartments in total across eight blocks varying in height from four to seven storeys. Credit: Plus Architecture Ltd

They will be divided into three sections – the largest being Blocks A1, A2, A3 and A4 with 10 one-bed apartments, 202 two-beds and 24 three-beds in four to six-storey apartments.

These are followed by Blocks B1 and B2 with 55 one-beds, 80 two-beds and 12 three-beds, and finally Block C1 and C2 with 36 one-beds, 78 two-beds and 20 three-beds and finally Blocks C1 and C2 with

Of the 155 houses, six are two-bedroom houses, 69 are three-beds, 74 are four-beds and four are five-beds.

The dwellings will be constructed on lands bordered by agriculturally zoned lands on the east and south, west of the Iarnrod Eireann rail line and north of other residential developments.

Developers have also proposed alterations to two roundabouts on the R147 Old Navan Road to accommodate the new dwellings.

Of the 155 houses, six are two-bedroom houses, 69 are three-beds, 74 are four-beds and four are five-beds. Credit: Plus Architecture Ltd

Applicants Azra Property Company Limited submitted plans to Meath County Council on September 1.

The council are expected to reach a decision on the development by the end of this month, October 26.

Feature Image Credit: Plus Architecture Ltd

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