A senior living community and 150 affordable homes for local people have been included in a master plan for the Howth Castle estate in north Co Dublin in a bid to attract public support.
Tetrarch Capital, which purchased the 472-acre demesne in 2019, is seeking a rezoning of amenity lands in parts of the former hotel and golf course to build homes.
A 10-page brochure outlining its vision for the estate has been circulated locally, with promises of reforestation, green zones, a public park and other amenities as well as its ambitions for commercial development.
In February a planning application focused on the Howth Castle buildings was filed, attracting some community push back, notably over the inclusion of a new road. Future plans, particularly around rezoning in a forthcoming county development plan, are likely to attract further opposition.
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“We are acutely aware of the sensitivities around the rezoning of land, and concerns about potential speculation by developers in newly zoned residential development land,” the company said in its brochure, which displays “key elements” of its master plan.
“To address those concerns we will be proposing to [Fingal County] Council that any zoning of the lands to allow for the proposed uses will specifically condition the lands for the delivery of affordable housing only… and for retirement use.”
The outline suggests the provision of a senior living, or retirement, community on one portion of a former golf course, and a 6.5-acre site on the Sutton side for 150 affordable two- and three-bedroom homes, pitched at local residents with prices of less than €300,000.
“Our proposal will ensure that 150 locals and their families can remain in the community,” the literature said.
Market
The developer has also targeted another demographic gap in the market, noting that in the 2016 Census 26 per cent of the Howth and Sutton population were over the age of 60 and ageing.
“Like affordable housing delivery locally, there are currently no solutions at all being provided for older homeowners,” it said.
“The delivery on Howth Estate of housing for the over-65s will provide local residents with the option to move to a very high quality alternative to their current dwellings.”
In a pitch to local interests the document also sets out plans for a new public park; expanded woodland and reforestation that will comprise "forever green spaces" of about 120 acres; a sports campus; and a potential new school. Hundreds of jobs are expected in the overall scheme which would also see the redevelopment of Deer Park Hotel.
“Preserving and enhancing the estate’s greenways and parklands is an integral part of our plans,” said Michael McElligott, principal of Tetrarch Capital. “This is about ensuring a sustainable future for Howth Estate that benefits everyone.”
Despite the appeal for community backing, opposition is expected.
Local Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan said he believes there is little appetite, either locally or within the council, to rezone what are valued amenity spaces.
A former local councillor with strong ties to Howth, Mr O’Callaghan claimed the electoral area has already seen the delivery of more housing than any other in the country in recent years.
Promises
“The key thing is that if that [land] is rezoned – and this is in any situation – the owners of that land can sell it on to anyone else and outlines or projects that have been promised are not necessarily tied into that land,” he said. “That has certainly been the case in other places where different promises have been made to get rezoned and then these promises aren’t necessarily followed through.”
As for the approach set out to potential rezoning in the brochure, Mr O’Callaghan said Tetrarch’s “formulation of words doesn’t carry any weight… there is no zoning just for accommodation for older people or affordable [homes] only.”
