Sunday Property Round-Up, May 17th, 2020

 

Subscribe for your weekly property round-up

* indicates required

 

Irish property market news and insights – for the industry, by the industry  

 

 

Before we get stuck into the general property news of the week, below are the local and international stories that might be of particular interest: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Social housing construction failed to meet target in 2019 https://www.echolive.ie/nationalnews/Social-housing-construction-failed-to-meet-target-in-2019-c5bf6b9f-52a8-4813-8479-f7315b271d25-ds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Ex-Grafton chairman Michael Chadwick in row over Ires Reit’s virtual annual meeting:

    Former Grafton Group chairman Michael Chadwick has written to the board of Ires Reit, the residential real estate company, expressing his concerns that plans to hold an annual meeting without shareholders present may be illegal.

    Chadwick, who tried in the High Court to prevent Grafton from holding its annual meeting without shareholders in attendance, believes the move is a violation of his rights as an Ires shareholder and alleges it contravenes the Companies Act.

    A number of companies including AIB and CRH have held virtual annual meetings, saying Covid-19 restrictions prohibit such gatherings. Others, however, including Total Produce and PTSB have simply postponed meetings until later this summer: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ex-grafton-chairman-michael-chadwick-in-row-over-ires-reits-virtual-annual-meeting-2wdb5n25l

 

If you missed last week’s round-up, you can catch up here: https://propertydistrict.ie/category/sunday-property-review/ 

 

As always, you might let me know if I have missed out on any relevant property news by emailing  carol@propertydistrict.ie.

 

(Apologies in advance for any typos, it’s difficult to get good help on a Sunday. Also, I use voice to text dictation so just sound out anything that really doesn’t make sense in a strong rural accent and that should help!)

 

 

 

 

SUNDAY LISTEN

 

 

Property Matters: Ireland’s First Weekly Property Radio Show (& Podcast!):

 

Ireland’s first weekly property radio show, Property Matters, launched In January 2019 on Dublin South FM 93.9 and is now available internationally via iTunes and Spotify podcast (www.iPropertyRadio.com). The team delivers 60 minutes of industry chat weekly with guests from the areas of planning, construction, property and proptech. 

Produced by Katie Tallon of Hear Me Roar Media. 

 

 

Property Matters, May 12th, 2020: Sherry FitzGerald, Safety Freelancer & Beagel.io

 

Joining us on #PropertyMatters this week are Graham Murray, Regional Director with Sherry FitzGerald; Gavin Coyle, CEO & Founder of Safety Freelancer; and Healy Hynes, Founder of Beagel.io, to discuss residential market activity during the pandemic, the changed safety landscape for the construction industry and proptech innovating property bidding .

Listen back here: https://ipropertyradio.com/property-matters-12th-may-2020-sherry-fitzgerald-beagel-io-safety-freelancer/

 

Listen back to all #PropertyMatters episodes here: https://ipropertyradio.com 

Email the Property Matters team at hello@iPropertyRadio.com

 

PLACEMAKING

PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

 

 

  • Council fought with real estate giant over funding for €130m cultural quarter – Dublin City accused Kennedy Wilson of failing to provide key information on Parnell Square development
    https://www.businesspost.ie/construction/council-fought-with-real-estate-giant-over-funding-for-130m-cultural-quarter-76d8238

 

  • OPR: Communications Toolkit for Public Consultation | PLACEengage

    In recent days, the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) published a communications toolkit to push public consultation in the development and planning process.   This toolkit offers “tips, advice and practical suggestions” to get people informed and interested…


    Read more: https://placeengage.com/opr-communications-toolkit-for-public-consultation/

 

 

  • Planning Conference 2020‬
    ‪http://cmgevents.ie/events/irish-planning-conference-2/

 

 

  • Court discretion in striking out settled cases concerning European Union Law – Dempsey -v- An Bord Pleanála [2019] 825 JR – Lexology

    On 26 September 2019, An Bord Pleanála granted development consent to Ardstone Homes Limited (”the Developer”) permitting the construction of 366 dwellings in Clane, County Kildare. This decision was challenged by the Applicants, who own and occupy houses within the vicinity of the proposed development project.

    The permission was granted under the Strategic Housing Development system, whereby an application is made directly to An Bord Pleanála for consent following a pre-application consultation procedure. This pre-application consultation does not involve public participation. Public participation is provided for once the main application is made to the Board.
    https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=20ce7d48-51f0-4b1b-ad10-351b7706d86e

 

 

  • Part of Dun Laoghaire shopping centre to be turned into primary care centre – Coltard, the centre’s operator, wants to turn the third floor into a medical facility:

    https://www.businesspost.ie/retail/part-of-dun-laoghaire-shopping-centre-to-be-turned-into-primary-care-centre-98e5023e

 

 

  • Priority to be given to cyclists and pedestrians: Dublin City Council says it will “deal” with any legal challenges to proposed restrictions on private cars in the city centre with more space and priority to be given to cyclists and pedestrians.
    The plan is part of efforts to allow for social distancing in the city with footpaths already being widened by closing off parking and loading bays.
    Chief executive Owen Keegan said details of further plans will be ready in a couple of weeks which could involve a ban on motorised vehicles in some areas after 11am and the temporary pedestrianisation of the College Green area.
    https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2020/0511/1137819-dublin-traffic/

 

 

  • Strategic housing development refused permission over environmental issues:

    The development at Canal Bank, Corbally would have comprised seven separate blocks of build-to-rent and student apartments, ranging in height from six to 10 storeys and containing 442 residential units.

    Limerick solicitor Michelle Hayes, partner in local firm Hayes Solicitors and president of Environmental Trust Ireland, lodged an objection to the development with An Bord Pleanála.

    Welcoming the decision to refuse planning application, Ms Hayes said: “The sheer scale and density of these shoebox built-to-rent apartments in this COVID-19 pandemic crisis is completely inappropriate, where social distancing is paramount to ensuring the health and safety of residents.

      https://www.irishlegal.com/article/strategic-housing-development-refused-permission-over-environmental-issues

 

 

  • FAST URBAN CHANGE FOR LIFE-SAVING STREETS | Urban Design Group http://www.udg.org.uk/content/fast-urban-change-life-saving-streets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*PLACEengage: The future of speedy, successful placemaking for property developers is here – Property developers and project owners ready Public Consultation are encouraged to contact the PLACEengage team for full details*

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT NEWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Safe return to on-site working raises many questions:  Developers are keen to get back to business, with residential sector making up the majority of projects set to restart:
    https://www.businesspost.ie/property-insight/safe-return-to-on-site-working-raises-many-questions-7e76baa7

 

  • Building yet to begin on most fast-tracked large-scale housing projects:

     Sinn Féin’s housing spokesman calls for the government to ‘get tough’ with developers:

    https://www.businesspost.ie/residential/building-yet-to-begin-on-most-fast-tracked-large-scale-housing-projects-e187b45c

 

  • Construction Information Services Round-up:  A weekly guide to the biggest building projects nationwide
    https://www.businesspost.ie/commercial/construction-information-services-round-up-2ab3b795

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Transport Infrastructure Ireland and locals express concern over 29-storey tower plan for Dublin: State agency Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and local residents have expressed concerns over fast-track plans by developer Joe O’Reilly to construct a 29-storey landmark tower near Heuston Station, Dublin.

    Earlier this year, Mr O’Reilly’s Ruirside Development lodged plans to construct 481 build-to-rent apartments and 3,698 sq m of commercial office space along with retail and restaurant space at Parkgate Street.

    The plan consists of five separate blocks ranging from eight to 29 storeys in height that will accommodate 1,100 residents.
    https://m.independent.ie/business/commercial-property/tii-and-locals-express-concern-over-29-storey-tower-plan-39198810.html

 

 

 

  • Ireland’s First Media Park Set for South Dublin County:

 

South Dublin County Council has agreed to the sale of 48 acres at Grange Castle Business Park to Lens Media Limited for the construction of Ireland’s first full-service media park: https://www.sdcc.ie/en/news/irelands-first-media-park-set-for-south-dublin-county.html 

 

 

  • Dunnes objects to proposed Tallaght Square extension –  Letter from the supermarket giant raised concerns that 251 car parking spaces would be lost
    https://www.businesspost.ie/retail/dunnes-objects-to-proposed-tallaght-square-extension-02e19403

 

  • Developer Johnny Ronan looks to build exclusive estate on site beside Wicklow motorway https://wicklownow.ie/news/developer-johnny-ronan-looks-to-build-exclusive-estate-on-site-beside-wicklow-motorway/

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • 314 New Homes In Naas Given The Green Light By An Bord Pleanala:

    Cairn Homes Properties Limited applied directly to the national planning unauthority, under the Strategic Housing Development mechanism.

    It sought leave for the demolition of an agricultural building, the construction of 208 house, 106 apartments and a childcare facility on two parcels of land located to the east and west of the Devoy Link Road.

    ABP has approved the application.

    https://kfmradio.com/news/13052020-0815/314-new-homes-naas-given-green-light-bord-pleanala

 

 

 

 

PROPTECH, MMC & CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION

 

 

  • Proptech Ireland is updating the database of 2020 Irish technology providers for the built environment – From smart design and planning right through to the smart property transaction, where does your Irish-led or Ireland-based proptech  or MMC business sit?  Pease take five minutes to add or update your details to our internationally-shared listing here: SIGN UP HERE: *PROPTECH INNOVATORS and STARTUPS * 

 

  • Proptech & Covid-19: Is Technology Driving Real Estate Online

    ‘Earlier this month, Proptech Ireland founder, Carol Tallon, delivered a global webinar for PropIT (Dubai).

    This presentation was due to be delivered in person, however, due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, the live event (and global proptech pitch competition) was cancelled and a number of the planned keynote talks have now been delivered online and are available to watch back…’
    https://prop-tech.ie/proptech-covid-19-is-technology-driving-real-estate-online/

     

 

 

  • Youbid.ie to launch its first monthly live-streamed auction: Six three-bed duplex units, a student village apartment and two-bedroom unit all on offer in opening auction this week:

     https://www.businesspost.ie/commercial/youbidie-to-launch-its-first-monthly-live-streamed-auction-02f49658

 

 

 

 

  • Onsite safety innovation – A safe descent for those in need:

    “ Think of working safely at height: edge protection systems and scaffolding, mobile working platforms and edge restraints probably pop up in your mind. You might think of systems doing their job. Of harnesses and nets stopping falls and preventing injury. Of lives saved because of them. Rarely do you think of casualty recovery…”

    https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/health-and-safety/a-safe-descent-for-those-in-need-07-05-2020/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER PROPERTY NEWS

 

 

  • In The Sunday Times today: Landlords aim to join local authority long-term lease scheme after lockdown:

    Dublin city council has seen a “significant” increase in the number of applications from landlords for the long-term leasing initiative since Ireland went into lockdown. Applications for more than 200 houses and apartments have been received since March 1.

    The local authority received 865 proposals for the scheme in 2019, of which 235 were for single homes. The rest were for muiti-unit developments.

    Under the initiative, councils and housing bodies lease properties from owners for 10 to 25 years and let them to people on the social housing list. The local authority becomes the landlord, maintains the interior of the property and pays between 80% and 85% of the open-market rent.

    Read more: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/landlords-aim-to-join-local-authority-long-term-lease-scheme-after-lockdown-b88hd6kp9

 

 

 

 

  • Irish Residential Market Review, Spring 2020 https://www.sherryfitz.ie/research/irish-residential-market-review–spring-2020

 

 

 

 

 

  • Landlords who repeatedly flout tenancy laws free to keep letting:

    More than 30 private landlords have had 10 or more cases taken against them by different tenants for issues such as withholding deposits, unlawful evictions and poor living conditions, Independent.ie can reveal.

    An analysis of disputes lodged with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) over the past six years shows how a cohort of landlords continue to rent despite consistently breaching tenancy laws, with some not paying money owed to renters after the RTB found against them.

    A Co Monaghan landlord has been ordered by the RTB to pay more than €44,000 to a number of tenants for unlawfully ending tenancies and keeping security deposits.

    https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/landlords-who-repeatedly-flout-tenancy-laws-free-to-keep-letting-39198842.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Office take-up in Dublin may be half this year’s forecast due to Covid-19:

    In contrast, Cork city has c 46,000 sq m, or c 500,000 sq ft of offices under construction with a number of deals secured on new stock, and/or in advanced negotiation.

    BNP this week note “a standstill’ in the Dublin office pipeline, with a slowing of demand as companies review lease agreements and future needs, and will base future decision or reviews of productivity among other issues, as well as “a reduction in the completion of already advanced lease negotiations.

    In addition, space requirements in the initial search phase have been halted until the situation has re¬turned to normal or at least some of the lockdown measures have been relaxed.”

    https://amp.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/property/office-take-up-in-dublin-may-be-half-this-years-forecast-due-to-covid-19-999333.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Following a management buyout last week, QRE appoints two new names to top team: Paul McElearney and Bryan Garry will form half of a four-person management team at the commercial property firm. https://www.businesspost.ie/commercial/consultant-qre-appoints-two-new-names-to-top-team-77b1f737

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY NEWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Notes on Buying Your First Home in an Economic Crisis https://www.consumerreports.org/buying-a-home/best-time-to-buy-your-first-home/

 

 

  • The Middle East’s top construction contracts of March 2020 https://www.constructionweekonline.com/projects-and-tenders/264956-the-middle-easts-top-construction-contracts-of-march-2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subscribe

* indicates required

 

SUNDAY PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Sign up to receive Property District's weekly  Sunday Property Round-Up, for all the latest construction, property and proptech news straight to your inbox.

You know what your team does well,

let our team amplify it across the industry...

Get in touch