Dublin modular homes: Where will they be?

Poppintree, Ballymun (22 modular homes)

A site split into two sections just off Balbutcher Lane in Poppintree in northwest Ballymun has been chosen for the pilot scheme for modular housing. The first homes are due on site by December 21st, with homeless families expected to be housed by Christmas. The site is close to much of the newly constructed social housing built under the Ballymun regeneration programme as well as older housing dating from the 1960s. It is close to St Joseph’s senior national school and is within walking distance of the centre of Ballymun.

Belcamp site H, Belcamp Avenue (38 modular homes) The city council

for several years has had plans to build permanent housing on this Darndale site. About 10 years ago, it proposed building 30 two-storey three-bedroom houses there but back in 2009 it changed to a mix of duplexes and senior citizens housing. Recently it said it was considering a “permanent modular response” for the lands. The site, which is the furthest of the five from Dublin city centre, is close to existing homes, most of which are social housing. It is also close to Our Lady Immaculate senior school.

St Helena’s Drive, Finglas (40 modular homes)

This site is at the end of a cul-de-sac in south Finglas, close to Tolka Valley Park, and the large Clearwater shopping centre. At the other end of the cul de sac is a recently built complex with older people’s housing, Merville Court. The area is surrounded by a well-established community, with a large number of homes dating from the 1960s and 1970s. There are several schools in the area, including two, St Malachy’s national school and St Oliver Plunkett’s junior school, within a three-minute walk.

Mourne Road, Crumlin (29 modular homes)

While close to Mourne Road, the site faces on to Knocknarea Road and is one of the few vacant housing sites in this well-established residential area between Crumlin and Drimnagh, most of which were built from the 1930s to the 1950s. Known as the former convent lands, they had previously been earmarked for housing, but a deal between the council and a voluntary housing body in 2011 never materialised. The area has a mix of tenures with many of the former council houses now in private hands. The site is close to Our Lady of Mercy secondary school.

Cherry Orchard, Ballyfermot (24 modular homes)

The council has had its problems with this open-grassed area at the junction of Cherry Orchard Avenue and Cherry Orchard Drive in relation to anti-social behaviour and cars/quad bikes mounting the open green space. The site is in a built-up area on the opposite side of the railway line to the Jamestown Industrial Estate and the newer Park West office and apartment complexes. The site is in a well-established residential area close to the M50 and is a little under 2km from the centre of Ballyfermot and its schools, colleges and shops.