Sunday Property Round-Up, May 3rd, 2020

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

 

PR for property and construction

 

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: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • International Noise Awareness Day 2020 took place on Wednesday. Because noise monitoring is becoming such a huge issue for developers, home builders and building contractors in Ireland, the following interview with Associate Professor at the University of Hartford, US (and proud KIldare man!) Dr . Eoin King, with Sonitus Systems might be of interest to the industry: http://www.sonitussystems.com/news/in-conversation-with-dr-eoin-king 

 

 

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@caroltallon.com.

 

 

(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

 

 

What comes next for Ireland’s planning, construction and property industries?

 

Restore property dysfunction or make changes? | Restarting construction – Lessons from China | Driving quality and increasing productivity 

 

On Property Matters this week: Orla Hegarty, Assistant Professor in the School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy at UCD, Philip Matthews, Director, Turner & Townsend, Eoin Leonard, CEO i3PT Certification.

Listen back: https://anchor.fm/ipropertyradio/episodes/Property-Matters–April-28th-2020-Turner–Townsend–i3PT-Certification–UCD-edbu92

 

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

 

Placemaking Ireland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*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

 

 

 

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

 

  • Construction industry needs clear advice:  

    The unilateral move in relation to the reopening of only certain construction sites shows that important decisions affecting the public interest, are being made behind closed doors, and there is absolutely no justification for this.

    By quietly allowing some projects to resume work, but not others, there is quite clearly a hushed acceptance on the part of Government that construction is a priority area which cannot be ignored for much longer.

    But, simply put, there cannot be one rule for one and one for another.

    A clear and transparent strategy in relation to the re-opening of the construction sector as a whole must be put in place now…

    https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/construction-industry-needs-clear-advice-1.4238315?mode=amp industry needs clear advice: 

    The unilateral move in relation to the reopening of only certain construction sites shows that important decisions affecting the public interest, are being made behind closed doors, and there is absolutely no justification for this.

    By quietly allowing some projects to resume work, but not others, there is quite clearly a hushed acceptance on the part of Government that construction is a priority area which cannot be ignored for much longer.

    But, simply put, there cannot be one rule for one and one for another.

    A clear and transparent strategy in relation to the re-opening of the construction sector as a whole must be put in place now…

    https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/construction-industry-needs-clear-advice-1.4238315?mode=amp

 

 

 

  • In The Sunday Times today: Stalled payments to Finance Ireland Leasing and Capitalflow unearth plant machinery fraud:

    Gardai say they are investigating a sophisticated fraud involving the theft of almost €750,000 from two leasing companies which provide finance to the construction industry.

    Criminals based in Galway are suspected of organising the fraud, which targeted two companies, named as Finance Ireland Leasing and Capitalflow. They provided finance to “builders” who purchased various types of plant machinery from dealers using false identification, bank statements and documents over a three-month period in 2017. In some cases, the chassis numbers of the financed machinery was falsified, or cloned from other machines…

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/stalled-payments-to-finance-ireland-leasing-and-capitalflow-unearth-plant-machinery-fraud-jpvs8kg8j

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Appeal lodged with ABP over Coach House decision:  DUBLIN City Council’s decision to refuse permission for the demolition of The Coach House on Park Lane in Chapelizod, to make way for the construction of a three-storey apartment block, has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

    Mark Ellis of the Old Isolde Flooring Company lodged the plans for the development with Dublin City Council last December, seeking permission for the demolition of the existing two-storey building at the site, to make way for an apartment block.

    http://www.echo.ie/show/article/appeal-lodged-with-abp-over-coach-house-decision

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Kildare Nationalist — Long-standing planning dispute settled by An Bord Pleanála | Kildare Nationalist

    A 14-YEAR (not a typo!) disagreement between industrial and agricultural neighbours was finalised this month when An Bord Pleanala (ABP) overruled a 2019 decision by the Kildare Co Council to allow a trucking firm retain an extended truck park, and a selection of already built shot-blasting and painting sheds.

    Farmer and local historian Seamus Tracey from Ballytracy near Donadea, was finally successful in his appeal to the national planning body against the 6.38m (21ft) high sheds and ancillary works.

    https://kildare-nationalist.ie/2020/05/01/long-standing-planning-dispute-settled-by-an-bord-pleanala/#.XqvvOiUo-Ec

 

 

  • Westmeath Independent – Work approved that could pave way for €6m sheltered housing scheme

    ‘Tuath’s proposal includes the demolition of existing school sport changing rooms, as well as various sheds, handball alleys and other secondary buildings.

    A second road is to be constructed for school traffic and a clear boundary between the school land and the housing development is also to be created.

    A total of 28 residential units are proposed for the existing building: seven each on the lower ground floor, upper ground floor, first floor and second floor. For the new buildings, the plans say it would be possible to construct up to 18 units in four three-storey blocks, each with two two-bed units per floor. However, they say a higher density could be agreed with Westmeath County Council.’

    https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2020/04/29/4189022-work-approved-that-could-pave-way-for-6m-sheltered-housing-scheme/

 

  • New contractor ‘to be sought’ for Naas school: A new contractor is being sought for a major school project in Naas.

    Work on the extension at the 600 pupil Mercy Convent Primary School at Sallins Road — effectively a new school — began some three years ago after planning permission was given in January 2014. It was estimated that the construction work would take two years to complete
    https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/home/538086/new-contractor-to-be-sought-for-school.html

 

 

  • An Bord Pleanala gives permission for north Kerry electricity substation | Radio Kerry https://www.radiokerry.ie/bord-pleanala-gives-permission-north-kerry-electricity-substation/

 

  • Kingspan’s Irish activity slumps over 80% in April: It also said that activity in Ireland was down by over 80% compared to the same time last year, which it called “a clear standout”.

    UK activity is less than half what it was in April last year, but Kingspan added that the Americas has been robust so far as has Germany and parts of Central Europe.
    https://www.rte.ie/amp/1135739/

 

 

  • Construction Information Services round-up in the Business Post:  A summary of the biggest building projects and deals going on around the country – https://www.businesspost.ie/commercial/construction-information-services-round-up-7547f4f0

 

 

 

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 * 

 

  • **Webinar this Wednesday** How is technology driving real estate sales online in the current crisis? Understanding how, when and what your customers will be buying from you and how to keep up with your customer’s needs?

    THE PROPIT FREE WEBINAR SERIES hosted by Terrapinn

    Register for your Proptech Ireland-delivered seminar place here: https://bit.ly/3eCAyvW

 

 

 

  • Making It Work: VR headsets helping firms to get round coronavirus restrictions – Dublin start-up UtilityAR reports a jump in demand for its headsets from large-scale manufacturers
    https://www.businesspost.ie/smes/making-it-work-vr-headsets-helping-firms-to-get-round-coronavirus-restrictions-a588889d

 

 

 

 

  • Welcome back to the office. This ring will track your location and temperature: Some companies will be content to overhaul office layouts to maximize distance between co-workers, relying on low-tech options like plexiglass cubicles and mandatory face masks.

    But for those who do invest in pandemic-driven building tech, the changes could also include more aggressive automation, replacing the overnight cleaning crew with robots
    https://www.protocol.com/touchless-doors-biometric-rings-proptech-cornavirus

 

 

 

 

OTHER PROPERTY NEWS

 

 

  • Rent freeze and eviction ban to be extended, says Housing Minister 

    HOUSING MINISTER EOGHAN Murphy has said he foresees the rent freeze and the temporary ban on evictions being extended further following the publication of the roadmap to lifting certain restrictions last night.

    Initially, a temporary ban on evictions and a pause on rent increases were introduced for a period of three months back in March, but the government warned at the time that it may be extended if deemed necessary.

    https://www.thejournal.ie/rent-freeze-eviction-ban-extension-eoghan-murphy-5090247-May2020/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Reports suggest PRS market is more resilient to effects of pandemic: Will the private rental sector be the least scathed by Covid-19? Demand from its diverse investor pool could aid a quick recovery
    https://www.businesspost.ie/commercial/reports-suggest-prs-market-is-more-resilient-to-effects-of-pandemic-dd06a6b3

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • In the Business Post : Aramark warns Nutgrove tenants they must pay rents and service costs – Retailers have been told they could face ‘enforcement action’ despite the effects of Covid-19 on business

    https://www.businesspost.ie/coronavirus/aramark-warns-nutgrove-tenants-they-must-pay-rents-and-service-costs-1466fa1c

 

 

 

 

  • Angela Keegan: How the property market can adapt to the new reality | Business Post

    “There is much we can learn from other countries, and other crises, about how to keep the property sector open for business…”

    https://www.businesspost.ie/property-insight/angela-keegan-how-the-property-market-can-adapt-to-the-new-reality-d54f11f7

 

 

  • Opening the estate agent’s door to remote working:

    Sharing hub space with other agents provides an opportunity for entrepreneurial estate agents to go it alone – interesting perspective shared by Liz O’Kane  in the Business Post 

    https://www.businesspost.ie/property-insight/opening-the-estate-agents-door-to-remote-working-de8ee92e

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Commercial property sector ‘expected to rebound’ after Covid-19 – CBRE

    According to CBRE, take-up in the Dublin office market reached almost 100,000sq m in the first quarter – 50 per cent higher than the five-year average.

    Looking at the current state of play in the office leasing market, CBRE says transactions have been put on hold “indefinitely as occupiers put off decision-making and adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach”.
    Notwithstanding this, some 6,000sq m of office space has been leased in the capital since the Covid-19 lockdown commenced. In a further encouraging sign, CBRE says that investor demand for Irish assets remains strong.

    https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/commercial-property-sector-expected-to-rebound-after-covid-19-cbre-1.4242139?mode=amp

 

 

 

 

  • Glenveagh’s €250m pre-fund apartment deal with Round Hill ‘on hold’

    Glenveagh has been in exclusive talks with Round Hill Capital, an international property group, about a so-called pre-fund deal for almost 450 apartments that will be built on East Road in Dublin. The talks have been paused, however, amid shutdown of construction sites and the complications of an effective ban on international travel for London-based Round Hill.

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/glenveaghs-250m-pre-fund-apartment-deal-with-round-hill-on-hold-xzmflqvnh

 

 

  • Aoife Brennan, writing in the Business Post today: Industrial sector weathers the pressure of the crisis – The Q1 2020 property results reveal that some sectors are withstanding the impact of the coronavirus more effectively than others
    https://www.businesspost.ie/commercial/aoife-brennan-industrial-sector-weathers-the-pressure-of-the-crisis-b6bf7f55

 

 

 

 

  • Declan Sexton to join Savills division as associate director – New hire was asset manager for Dunnes Stores’ property department
    https://www.businesspost.ie/commercial/sexton-to-join-savills-division-as-associate-director-1b1e1b2d

 

 

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY NEWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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