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: 

 

 

• Dublin property prospects ranked 11th in Europe by Urban Land Institute and PwC survey – Survey shows less faith in returns on offices but investment activity remains strong overall https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/dublin-property-prospects-ranked-11th-in-europe-by-urban-land-institute-and-pwc-survey-g2tc2kg9q

 

• Building houses costs councils €30,000 less than buying them https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/building-houses-costs-councils-30-000-less-than-buying-them-k75blcqv9

 

• Grafton Street area could become traffic-free permanently under new proposals from Dublin City Council – https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/grafton-street-area-trafficfree-pedestrian-19209265

 

• Property owners have ‘nothing to fear’ from housing referendum: Home For Good coalition says an amendment is needed to free up land for housing and protect renters https://amp.independent.ie/irish-news/property-owners-have-nothing-to-fear-from-housing-referendum-39704458.html

 

• CIF’s ‘Home for Everyone’ Schools Competition aims to nurture construction talent of tomorrow https://constructionnews.ie/a-home-for-everyone/amp/

 

• NUI Galway is to share in a European fund worth half a million euro to develop a new online training course for housing and property professionals. https://connachttribune.ie/nui-galway-awarded-eu-funding-to-train-housing-and-property-experts/amp/

 

• Wasting no time to find new ways of cleaning up: The latest positive changes in the field of waste management are a result of local, regional, national and European action plans and directives https://www.businesspost.ie/commercial-reports/wasting-no-time-to-find-new-ways-of-cleaning-up-270853a1

 

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. 

 

 

On Property Matters this week:

Joanne Lavelle, Sales & Letting Agent and Property Valuer at Michael Lavelle Estate Agents; Patrick Davitt, CEO of IPAV; Tom Crosse, GVM Auctioneers and President of IPAV; Ella Dunphy, DNG Ella Dunphy and Past President of IPAV; and Shane O’Donnell, CEO of Lanu

*Listen back at iPropertyRadio.com https://anchor.fm/ipropertyradio/episodes/Property-Matters–3rd-November-2020-em29l3

Produced by Katie Tallon of Hear Me Roar Media. 

Email the Property Matters team at hello@iPropertyRadio.com

 

PLACEMAKING

PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

 

 

• Group seeks to overturn permission for 496 apartments in Ballyboden https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/group-seeks-to-overturn-permission-for-496-apartments-in-ballyboden-1.4401391?mode=amp

 

• College Green plaza to double in size under new plans: Traffic-free zone to be extended from Trinity College to South Great George’s Street https://www-irishtimes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/college-green-plaza-to-double-in-size-under-new-plans-1.4400337?mode=amp

 

• Public asked for input on new plans to pedestrianise Dublin’s Dame Street https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/public-asked-for-input-on-new-plans-to-pedestrianise-dublins-dame-street-1029942.html

 

• Donnybrook’s High rise fears http://www.newsfour.ie/2020/11/donnybrooks-high-rise-fears/

 

• OPW Minister Patrick O’Donovan: ‘The next week is crucial for Cork’s future’  https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-40074272.html

 

• BusConnects: Final plans for 16 Dublin bus corridors published https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/busconnects-final-plans-for-16-dublin-bus-corridors-published-1.4400026?mode=amp

 

• St Laurence’s Park Stillorgan locals unaware that vacant homes to make way for apartments and library: While housing is welcomed, there are serious concerns locally about the proposed plans https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/property/st-laurences-park-stillorgan-locals-19239092.amp

 

• Locals protest over plan to divert woodland corridor https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/Locals-protest-over-plan-to-divert-woodland-corridor-182bf656-38b9-4847-84bb-da185d2ba330-ds

 

• Plan for public realm masterplan and over 20 homes at city estate https://galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-fm-news-desk/plan-for-public-realm-masterplan-and-over-20-homes-at-city-estate/

 

• More Limerick councillors call on minister to withdraw transport blueprint – Limerick https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/585971/more-limerick-councillors-call-on-minister-to-withdraw-transport-blueprint.html

 

• Straffan Co Kildare combines village charm with easy access to Dublin – A bucolic location, afternoon tea aplenty, lots of outdoor amenities plus close proximity to Dublin make this Co Kildare enclave a very desirable place to move to https://www.irishtimes.com/sponsored/bank-of-ireland/straffan-co-kildare-combines-village-charm-with-easy-access-to-dublin-1.4394645?mode=amp

 

• Naas’s Poplar Square is to become more ‘user friendly’: Money allocated for the work https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/leinsterleader/586132/naas-s-poplar-square-is-to-become-more-user-friendly.html

 

• Sale of old Marist College buildings puts plans for local Gaelcholáiste in jeopardy – Talk of the Town https://www.talkofthetown.ie/sale-of-old-marist-college-buildings-puts-plans-for-local-gaelcholaiste-in-jeopardy/amp/

 

• Planning Application Lodged For “Zero Waste” Shop In Offaly https://www.midlands103.com/news/midlands-news/planning-application-lodged-for-zero-waste-shop-in-offaly/

 

 

• ‘If people are looking for the right to housing, rural Ireland has no infrastructure’ https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/if-people-are-looking-for-the-right-to-housing-rural-ireland-has-no-infrastructure/

 

• Bord na Móna launches Kildare wind farm information campaign https://www.kildarenow.com/news/news/586229/bord-na-mona-launches-kildare-wind-farm-information-campaign.html

 

*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

 

• Housing completions to reach 20,000 but analysts warn of future impact https://www-irishtimes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/housing-completions-to-reach-20-000-but-analysts-warn-of-future-impact-1.4400965?mode=amp

 

• Turnover of CIF’s top 50 contractors hit €10bn in 2019 https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2020/1103/1175699-turnover-of-cifs-top-50-contractors-hit-10bn-in-2019/

 

• The key concern for the industry is the movement of cross border sub contractors – ‘The private housebuilding industry should prioritise new house building methods to reduce costs’ says James Benson Director Housing, Planning & Development Services with the Construction Industry Federation https://www.businesspost.ie/commercial-reports/the-key-concern-for-the-industry-is-the-movement-of-cross-border-sub-contractors-0dc90c22

 

• Kingspan withdraws fire-test report for Grenfell insulation: Irish insulation manufacturer Kingspan has withdrawn fire-test reports for one of its key products, after admitting the test had “shortcomings” and does not reflect the product it has been selling for the last 15 years https://www.irishtimes.com/business/construction/kingspan-withdraws-fire-test-report-for-grenfell-insulation-1.4402490?mode=amp

 

• John Paul Construction boss is ‘optimistic’ on business outlook: Liam Kenny confident of firm’s jobs pipeline despite Covid interruptions https://m.independent.ie/business/john-paul-construction-boss-is-optimistic-on-business-outlook-39703937.html

 

• Cork is seeing development momentum despite reduced commercial property transactions https://www.irishexaminer.com/property/commercial/arid-40074110.html

 

• Graham Construction has €2bn project pipeline https://www.irishtimes.com/business/construction/graham-construction-has-2bn-project-pipeline-1.4400033?mode=amp

 

• How to win repeat business and keep clients in the loop – amid a pandemic: Featuring Irish main contractor, Townmore https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/partnership-publishing/how-to-win-repeat-business-and-keep-clients-in-the-loop-amid-a-pandemic-02-11-2020/

 

• Developer Quintain Ireland moves to activate €100m loan for Dublin schemes: State-backed lender will accelerate Lone Star firm’s Adamstown plans https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/developer-quintain-ireland-moves-to-activate-100m-loan-for-dublin-schemes-ss3dgn78g

 

• We need to be cognisant as an industry: ‘The development sector has already begun to integrate PRS strategies’ says David Lawlor, Director – Social and Affordable Housing for the O’Flynn Group  https://www.businesspost.ie/commercial-reports/we-need-to-be-cognisant-as-an-industry-d3f9516a

 

• Caterpillar planning 700 job cuts in the North https://www.irishtimes.com/business/manufacturing/caterpillar-planning-700-job-cuts-in-the-north-1.4401003?mode=amp

 

• Almac moves into Ireland – Italian tracked scissor and boom lift manufacturer AlmaCrawler has appointed Irish service and inspection company Inspectec as its new distributor. https://vertikal.net/en/news/story/36478/almac-moves-into-ireland?acceptCookies=1

 

• Soros firm sells €2.1m worth of shares in Cairn Homes: The billionaire’s Soros Fund Management reduces stake in construction firm to 2.87 per cent from 3.21 per cent https://www.businesspost.ie/companies/soros-firm-sells-21m-worth-of-shares-in-cairn-homes-70e7d8a0

 

• The little known architectural firm that is transforming Dublin https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/art-and-design/the-little-known-architectural-firm-that-is-transforming-dublin-1.4374706?mode=amp

 

• Dublin resident loses bid to overturn permission for 512 apartments:  Dublin resident loses bid to overturn permission for 512 apartments – The proposed development is on land at the former Techrete manufacturing facility, former Beshoff’s car showroom and former Howth garden centre, Claremont, on Howth Road. https://www.irishexaminer.com/property/planning/arid-40075247.html

 

• ‘Ireland’s tallest building’ plans nixed as massive Dublin hotel refused https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/property/irelands-tallest-building-plans-massive-19217307

 

• Marlet begins delivery of 253 apartments at latest south Dublin scheme – BAM Ireland selected as main contractor for Green Acre Grange in Dundrum https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/marlet-begins-delivery-of-253-apartments-at-latest-south-dublin-scheme-1.4396841?mode=amp

 

• Swords councillor has slammed a proposal to build a 278-apartment development at Fosterstown saying the proposal shows a ‘blatant disregard’ for Swords Masterplans agreed by councillors, last year. https://m.independent.ie/regionals/fingalindependent/news/apartment-plans-slammed-39696976.html

 

• Permission refused for Dublin shared living scheme  https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2020/1106/1176479-permission-refused-for-dublin-shared-living-scheme/

 

• Apartments plan for Glasnevin printworks rejected a fourth time:  Scanron wanted to build 240 apartments beside the former Smurfit printworks https://m.herald.ie/news/apartments-plan-for-glasnevin-printworks-rejected-a-fourth-time-39699860.html

 

• Planning granted for 49 student apartments on Cork’s North Main Street https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-40074626.html

 

• Hotelier buys Camden Quay site for €3.5m: Second bid for a Cork hotel by John Kajani, who owns hotels in London, Dublin and Waterford https://www.irishexaminer.com/property/commercial/arid-40076051.html

 

• West Cork row over plans to develop houses on site of former hotel https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-40075937.html

 

• CEO of Galway Racecourse asks An Bord Pleanala to approve Ring Road project with mitigation works intact – https://galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-fm-news-desk/ceo-of-galway-racecourse-asks-an-bord-pleanala-to-approve-ring-road-project-with-mitigation-works-intact/

 

• Green light to expand student complex in Terryland: https://connachttribune.ie/green-light-to-expand-student-complex-in-terryland/

 

• Plans for €80m housing development in Limerick stalled as An Bord Pleanála seeks more information https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/585965/plans-for-80m-housing-development-in-limerick-stalled-as-an-bord-pleanala-seeks-more-information.html

 

• €12m Labre Park redevelopment set for fewer houses after flood risk identified https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/12-million-labre-park-redevelopment-19236209.amp

 

• New housing development in centre of Kilkenny village to go ahead despite objections – https://kilkennynow.ie/new-housing-development-in-centre-of-kilkenny-village-to-go-ahead-despite-objections/

 

• North Quays funding set to unlock wider developments in Waterford: The developers of the North Quays project say with the promise of government funding for the landmark development in the offing, they can now unlock other planned projects. The first of these is the development of  800 sustainable energy homes in Kilbarry, for which Falcon Real Estate Developments has secured €285 million.https://www.wlrfm.com/2020/11/06/north-quays-funding-set-to-unlock-wider-developments-in-waterford/?fbclid=IwAR1dXi0TuCfEcPUcoUOT1ql-3LLuneu5US6qtJeDcuh2EU-UtWIkSOn7ZGc

 

• An Bord Pleanála Adjudicating On Proposal For 349 New Homes In Maynooth.  https://kfmradio.com/news/05112020-0814/bord-plean%C3%A1la-adjudicating-proposal-349-new-homes-maynooth

 

• Plan to develop Carmelite site – Independent.ie https://m.independent.ie/regionals/braypeople/news/plan-to-develop-carmelite-site-39710705.html

 

• New glamping pods could be on the way for Robertstown Holiday Village https://www.kildarenow.com/news/home/586652/new-glamping-pods-could-be-on-the-way-for-robertstown-holiday-village.html

 

• Plans in place for 50 new housing units in Tipperary  http://tippfm.com/featured-2/plans-place-50-new-housing-units-tipperary/

 

 

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 *  

 

• Minister Darragh O’Brien commends local authority innovation and service delivery at the NOAC Good Practice in Local Government virtual seminar https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/ebc5d-minister-darragh-obrien-commends-local-authority-innovation-and-service-delivery-at-the-noac-good-practice-in-local-government-virtual-seminar/

 

• Tech solution takes blood, sweat and tears out of new house transactions: The house-buying process is a long and arduous one for all involved. Leman Solicitors has teamed up with software company Transact to streamline it for developers, estate agents and the legal sector, benefiting the buyer in the process   https://www.businesspost.ie/commercial-reports/tech-solution-takes-blood-sweat-and-tears-out-of-new-house-transactions-4ed4e4a2

 

• Smart Dublin chooses IoT solution to curb ring buoy theft – Smart Cities World https://www.smartcitiesworld.net/news/news/smart-dublin-chooses-iot-solution-to-curb-ring-buoy-theft-5831

 

• Proptech fever returns! Investors pile £1.3m into lettings platform in a day: Despite only just surviving Covid lockdown downturn, GuestReady says its recovered by targeting longer-term lets and benefitting from the ‘staycation’ phenomenon. https://thenegotiator.co.uk/proptech-fever-returns-investors-pile-1-3m-into-short-lets-platform-in-a-day/

 

• COVID presses the case for innovation in real estate | Real Estate Weekly https://rew-online.com/covid-presses-the-case-for-innovation-in-real-estate/

 

• Is tech about to shake up the property market (finally)? – BusinessCloud https://www.businesscloud.co.uk/news/is-tech-about-to-shake-up-the-property-market-finally/

 

• Build-to-rent and proptech in the covid era – PropertyWire https://www.propertywire.com/blog/build-to-rent-and-proptech-in-the-covid-era/

 

• PropTech Today: Using technology to underpin your lettings division  https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2020/11/proptech-today-using-technology-to-underpin-your-lettings-division

 

• Pandemic puts a rocket under proptech https://www.afr.com/property/commercial/pandemic-puts-a-rocket-under-proptech-20201103-p56b5w

 

• Battery-powered construction trucks on sale next year: 1 day A range of battery-powered heavy-duty trucks for construction industry applications will be on sale from Volvo in 2021, the Swedish company has announced https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/battery-powered-construction-trucks-on-sale-next-year

 

• RenoRun app launches in Boston | Digital Construction | Construction Global https://www.constructionglobal.com/digital-construction/renorun-app-launches-boston

 

 

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY NEWS (including PRS)

 

• Buying a home during a pandemic: What is different? https://amp.rte.ie/amp/1176471/

 

• Market watch: In the first two weeks of the March lockdown, estate agents were fielding more calls than usual from prospective buyers. Sales that had been agreed were falling out of bed. Some bidders were making low offers in the expectation that prices would tumble. In the staring competition that ensued, buyers blinked first: prices haven’t fallen: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/market-watch-5pskl38sn

 

• Money Matters: Irish banks are guilty of credit restraints, not rip-off mortgage rates https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/money-matters-irish-banks-are-guilty-of-credit-restraints-not-rip-off-mortgage-rates-20zs7x887

 

• Availability of affordable accommodation down since June, according to report | BreakingNews.ie https://www.breakingnews.ie/amp/ireland/availability-of-affordable-accommodation-down-since-june-according-to-report-1028094.html

 

• No HAP Homes Available In Many Towns And Cities https://www.todayfm.com/news/no-hap-homes-available-many-towns-cities-1099033

 

• Seán O’Casey’s last Dublin home bought by city council to house homeless https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/se%C3%A1n-o-casey-s-last-dublin-home-bought-by-city-council-to-house-homeless-1.4401169?mode=amp

 

• Our legacy housing stock is a mismatch for demand  | Business Post https://www.businesspost.ie/commercial-reports/our-legacy-housing-stock-is-a-mismatch-for-demand-394e3e36

 

• West’s awake as online auction clears €3.1m worth of property https://www.businesspost.ie/commercial/wests-awake-as-online-auction-clears-31m-worth-of-property-5c9d813b

 

• Passivhaus concept isn’t a load of hot air: Low-energy home defined 30 years ago is still ahead of the times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/passivhaus-concept-isnt-a-load-of-hot-air-28clbp2zs

 

• Building on creative concepts: The Institute of Designers in Ireland Awards have recognised the outstanding work produced this year by our leading architects and interior designers https://www.businesspost.ie/design/building-on-creative-concepts-313cbcff

 

• Fancy a trip back in time? Picturesque thatched cottage going under the hammer for €90k https://www.kildarenow.com/news/news/586844/fancy-a-trip-back-in-time-picturesque-thatched-cottage-going-under-the-hammer-for-90k.html

 

• How to buy a site for a self-build project: You may find a site with stunning views, but make sure you buy it subject to planning permission – Building a house from scratch allows for a lot of control when it comes to size, layout and decoration but finding the right land might not be so easy: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/how-to-buy-a-site-for-a-self-build-project-cc922d788

 

• My neighbour is using a lane I own to access his house. What can I do? https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/my-neighbour-is-using-a-lane-i-own-to-access-his-house-what-can-i-do-1.4394409?mode=amp

 

 

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY NEWS

 

• Surveyors expect declines in both retail and office rents:  Prime and secondary retail rents could fall by 11pc and 13pc respectively over the 12 months to the end of September 2021 according to the latest survey of Irish chartered surveyors. https://amp.independent.ie/business/commercial-property/surveyors-expect-declines-in-both-retail-and-office-rents-39708599.html

 

• Galway’s industrial investment market sees strong demand: The city has an enviable reputation as a hub for medical manufacturing and engineering, but more opportunities need to be created for the industrial rental investment sector to expand https://www.businesspost.ie/commercial/galways-industrial-investment-market-sees-strong-demand-cbc4d9f4

 

• Rent-free flagship HQ offered to lure EU climate agency here from England https://amp.independent.ie/news/environment/rent-free-flagship-hq-offered-to-lure-eu-climate-agency-here-from-england-39704443.html

 

• D4 investment offers historic opportunity at €2.5m https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/d4-investment-offers-historic-opportunity-at-2-5m-1.4397757?mode=amp

 

• Kennedy Wilson doubles its money on sale of Bank of Ireland HQ https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/kennedy-wilson-doubles-its-money-on-sale-of-bank-of-ireland-hq-2xz3k9qd0

 

• Killester investment offers 5.96pc yield with upward rent reviews https://amp.independent.ie/business/commercial-property/killester-investment-offers-596pc-yield-with-upward-rent-reviews-39708616.html

 

• Amazon eyes potential major expansion of Cork operations:  The growth of Amazon’s Irish operations looks set to continue following its appointment of real estate advisers to secure space in Cork for up to 1,000 workers. https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/amazon-eyes-potential-major-expansion-of-cork-operations-1.4398859?mode=amp

 

• French nursing home group Emera takes majority stake in Virtue https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/french-nursing-home-group-emera-takes-majority-stake-in-virtue-jzszgvxj7

 

 

INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY NEWS

• House prices UK: Property market hit record high but could slow – expert warning | Express.co.uk https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/property/1357211/property-news-house-price-index-halifax-prices-market-uk/amp

 

• Kingspan withdraws insulation fire test admitting it is ‘not representative’ of product on market for 15 years https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/kingspan-withdraws-insulation-fire-test-admitting-it-is-not-representative-of-product-on-market-for-15-years-68461

 

• UK Builders’ licence campaign collapses – Plans to make every jobbing builder have to pass a test and buy a licence to trade have been shelved. https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/builders-license-campaign-collapses

 

• Organised crime gangs are exploiting the construction training system and making “vast sums of money” across the country: https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2020/11/03/organised-crime-infiltrates-construction-training/

 

• Q3 construction activity falls in NI https://www.insidermedia.com/news/ireland/q3-construction-activity-falls-in-ni

 

 

FACEBOOK GROUP FOR IRISH PROPERTY BUYERS & INVESTORS

Crowd-sourcing answers topical property questions:    

Irish Property Buyers Handbook annuals

 

As many of you might know, my annual property book The Irish Property Buyers’ Handbook (since 2011) was rebranded in 2018 and now appears as part of The Property Insider series, published by Oak Tree Press, the first three titles are now published and available here: https://www.amazon.com/Carol-Tallon/

 

From 2020, the publishers and I want to ensure the content remains topical and we are doing this by crowd-sourcing home buyer and investor queries, with crowd-sourced and editorial team answers. 

Join the Facebook Group here to contribute: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IrishPropertyBuyers/