Dún Laoghaire passive house scheme will be one of world’s largest

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The project is currently Ireland’s largest social and affordable scheme to receive planning. Set within a historic landscape adjacent to Shanganagh Park, the proposal is centred around a new public square and an avenue leading to Shanganagh Castle.

The project will be one of the largest in Europe to be designed to passive house standards, with eight buildings incorporating 546 apartments being designed to achieve passive house certification. An emphasis has been placed on pedestrian and cycle accessibility too, with the development also in close proximity to the proposed new Dart station at Woodbrook and BusConnects.

One-third of the units will be social housing while two-thirds will be so-called affordable homes for rent or purchase.

The development will offer a mix of accommodation suitable for larger and smaller families, couples and single people. Construction is expected to start on the site in the first half of 2021, subject to the final decision of the council, and government approval.

“We are delighted to announce that Shanganagh Castle has received planning permission from An Bord Pleanala,” read a statement from passive house consultants on the project, MosArt.

“At Shanganagh, 546 of the 597 new homes will be delivered to the passive house standard, representing what looks set to be the largest passive house urban settlement in the world. The project will deliver superb energy efficiency as well as high comfort and excellent indoor air quality, and all based on a quality assured science-based design and delivery process that avoids performance gaps.”

“MosArt are delighted to be the passive house consultants for this ground-breaking scheme, providing energy consulting services, including BERs, thermal modelling and passive house modelling, together with development of ventilation and airtightness strategies.

“We look forward to playing our part in the delivery of the scheme, which will provide much needed high-quality affordable housing for our citizens.”

Meanwhile Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council chairperson and Green Party representative Una Power said: “The achievement of full planning permission for our project in Shanganagh is excellent news for people looking to buy or rent a home in our county at an affordable cost and will make a significant contribution to meeting the council’s social housing requirements.

“The development will offer people an attractive place to live that is close to key transport links and supported by a wide range of local amenities. It will also serve as a flagship for sustainable development – with best in class environmental practice incorporated into the project from the outset.”