MarketResearch:Sandyford will get over 400,000sq m (4.305 million sq ft) of commercial development over the next five years, according to research published by CB Richard Ellis.

Currently almost 82,500sq m (888,022sq ft) of accommodation is under construction in Sandyford while around 61,000sq m (656,600sq ft) has been granted planning permission.

A further 225,000sq m (2.422 million sq ft) is awaiting a planning decision.

CB Richard Ellis has prepared a detailed map which highlights the quantum of office, retail, residential and hotel development both in the planning system and to be developed in the coming years.

It estimates that 296,000sq m (3.186 million sq ft) of office accommodation, almost 100,000sq m (1.076 million sq ft) of retail accommodation, over 5,900 residential units and 366 hotel rooms, could be developed in Sandyford over the next five years.

Commenting on the area's transformation from an industrial location to a hub for office, retail and residential development, Ronan Webster, director of development at CB Richard Ellis, says the local council has taken a new approach.

"Traditionally the planning response to demand for housing stock and commercial space has been met by rezoning greenfield sites. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council looked at a more sustainable solution by allowing higher value uses on underutilised or brownfield land in the middle of an inner suburb.

"Development has happened at such a rapid place that the planners are now preparing development guidelines for an entire estate to give clarity to land owners in Sandyford on their development options."

These guidelines, prepared by UK planning consultants, are on display in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council offices.