Approval for multi-million euro projects to "unlock" Offaly land for housing

It was announced today (Tuesday) that multi-million euro Offaly County Council projects designed to "activate strategic land banks for residential development" at three sites - one in Tullamore and two in the Birr area - have been approved by the Government.

The three approved projects are expected to directly enable the delivery of 1,205 new homes and provide the potential for a further 1,025 homes in the county.

The first of the successful applications is for the Clonminch land activation scheme in Tullamore which is due to involve a one kilometre link road with water and wastewater infrastructure. This is due to "directly unlock lands for 654 residential units" while creating "indirect" potential for a further 650 residential units.

The second successful application is for the Rectory Fields land activation scheme in Birr, which would involve a "link road and active travel facilities" through a town centre site in Birr, "directly unlocking lands for 126 residential units and indirectly for a further 50 residential units".

The third project is the Birr South land activation scheme, which proposes a 425 metre link road with active travel facilities, water, and wastewater infrastructure. This is estimated to directly unlock the site for 425 residential units and, indirectly, create potential for a further 325 residential units.

Each of the projects has an associated indicative cost coming under €10 million.

The Offaly projects have been approved under Call 1 of the new Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund, a €1 billion Government initiative designed to provide the infrastructure needed to accelerate housing delivery across the country.

Although details of timelines for the work at each site have not been announced, Call 1 is designed to support the delivery of infrastructure projects that can commence construction in 2026 or 2027, and be substantially complete by 2028.

Welcoming the announcement, Offaly TD John Clendennen said this was "an important day" for the county.

"This outcome is a testament to the hard work and collaborative efforts between local and national government," said the Fine Gael TD.

"The activation of these lands represents a vital step forward for three strategic locations within our county. I would like to thank both Minister of State John Cummins for his engagement and interest in Offaly, as well as Offaly County Council for their continued dedication to the improvement of Offaly, highlighted here by these successful applications."

Fianna Fáil's Deputy Tony McCormack hailed the potential of the three projects to "collectively unlock lands capable of delivering more than 2,200 new homes" across the county.

"Offaly County Council identified three strategic projects, applied for funding for all three, and I am delighted that all three applications have been successful.

"This is a tremendous outcome for the county and reflects the strong work undertaken by the Council in preparing these proposals," Deputy McCormack said.

"The housing challenge cannot be solved by building homes alone. We must also invest in the roads, water services and supporting infrastructure that make housing developments possible. These projects will remove key constraints and open up lands for the delivery of thousands of much-needed homes."

Deputy McCormack added that the investment will support the continued growth of both Tullamore and Birr while helping to meet housing demand across Offaly.

"This funding will help ensure that more individuals, couples and families can access housing in the years ahead. It is a significant step forward for Offaly and demonstrates the Government's commitment to supporting housing growth in our towns and communities."