DEVELOPMENT LAND:WHILE DEVELOPMENT sites have been generally slow to sell this year because of the credit squeeze and falling prices in the new homes market, there is almost always a buyer for a well located piece of land with the appropriate zoning and a realistic valuation.

For that reason Douglas Newman Good's new homes and development division is confident of getting bids in the region of €10-€11 million for a site of 1.3 hectares (3.2 acres) at Enniskerry Road in Kilternan, Dublin 18. It is to be sold by private treaty on behalf of the Church of Ireland.

Aidan O'Brien of the selling agent suggests that the housing zoning on the site should open the way for the purchaser to seek permission for a "low/medium housing density".

The site was originally zoned as part of the parish/community centre at Kilternan but the planners were later advised by the Church of Ireland that it was no longer required and could therefore be developed for a mainstream residential scheme like those on adjoining lands with a density of 35/40 homes per hectare.

"As the field in question is no longer integral to the Church of Ireland package of community proposals, it does not and should not be subject to the provisions of the master plan to be prepared for the residual Church of Ireland holding," according to the local area plan.

The elevated site is in a lovely rural setting adjacent to the entrance to Kilternan National School. It adjoins Cowper Care Retirement Home to the south with the other boundaries adjoining agricultural land.

O'Brien says the site has all the attractions of an upmarket, rural setting yet it is only 20 minutes drive from Dublin city centre. It is about 2kms from the M50 interchange and the proposed Luas line B extension that is due to be completed in 2010.

The Kilternan site is close to shopping facilities in nearby Carrickmines, Sandyford, Cornelscourt and Dundrum Town Centre.