OPW/eircom make south Dublin planning application

The Office of Public Works (OPW) and eircom have jointly made a planning application to develop housing and offices sites in south Dublin.

The application is to be submitted at the end of the week.

Phase one of the project known as "Westgate", will consist of 650 apartments and more than a half million square feet of office space.

This phase is to be located on a four-hectare site at St John's Road near Heuston Station.

A planning application for phase two of the development - which is on a 2-hectare (4.5 acre) site owned entirely by the OPW - is expected to be lodged in coming months.

On completion the total project is estimated to have a value of some €500m.

Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Tom Parlon said the development would have provision to allocate one fifth of the apartments to social and affordable housing.

The joint OPW eircom site is currently utilised as a warehousing and storage location for both the OPW and eircom.

Pre-planning consultation with all the relevant interest groups has taken place.