Development SiteAnother development site close to Castlethorn Construction's large apartment scheme at Pelletstown, Ashtown, Dublin 11, is expected to attract considerable interest when it goes on the market this week.

HT Meagher O'Reilly is seeking over €16 million for the site of 1.43 hectares (3.54 acres) at the entrance to the Pelletstown site, close to the Half Way bar and restaurant.

The site is particularly well located with frontage on to both the Ratoath Road and the Ballyboggan Road. It is about 3kms from the M50 motorway and 7kms from the city centre. It is also across the road from the Arrow railway station where commuters are taken into Connolly Station in about eight minutes.

Because the land has a mixed-use zoning, whoever buys it is likely to provide retail units or showrooms on the ground floor and apartments overhead. According to a study by a Dublin firm of architects, the site should accommodate over 380 apartments or a mixed-use scheme of more than 300 units and at least 4,645sq m (50,000sq ft) of retail or showroom space.

The adjoining Pelletstown apartment scheme - where there will also be a neighbourhood centre - covers an area of over 100 acres which are being developed by Castlethorn, Ballymore Properties and Capel Properties. When completed in 2008, it will have about 4,000 homes. The railway station is to be upgraded and another one built on the Ballymore end of the site.

James Meagher of the selling agent says the Pelletstown developed has totally transformed the area. Because the site now going on the market is immediately behind the Castlethorn scheme, it was ideally suited for a high density residential/office development.

A separate piece of land behind the site has been earmarked to link the Ratoath Road with the Ballyboggan Road.