Planning sought for 235-unit housing development in Tralee

Computer image of the proposed development in Lisloose, Tralee, Co Kerry

A new €70m housing development may be in the pipeline for Tralee, with planning permission requested for 235 homes.

The Large Scale Residential Development (LRD) in Lisloose, Tralee, Co Kerry, would be built by Ned O’Shea Construction.

The 9.2-hectare site on Bracker O’Regan Road, which is home to a Bronze Age ringfort, has access to the new Tralee-Fenit Greenway.

The planning proposal includes a mixture of dwelling types and sizes, including two-, three-, and four-bedroom houses, and one- and two-bedroom apartments.

It is hoped the development will supply housing for Tralee's growing population.

The development would create 200 direct construction jobs in the local community and with local suppliers.

A childcare facility and a small commercial unit are also proposed, along with space for 372 car spaces, and 349 cycle spaces.

The Lisloose site is zoned for residential development and planning permission for a residential development was previously granted in 2017, with no objections to the previous residential proposals.

The landscape design aims to create vibrant neighbourhoods with a network of natural areas, and walkable open public spaces, with plans to plant over 400 trees on the site.

The site has views over Tralee town, some 2km south, and it has two primary schools and one secondary school nearby.

The landscape design aims to create vibrant neighbourhoods with a network of natural areas, and walkable open public spaces, with plans to plant over 400 trees on the site.

Extensive archaeological and ecological surveys have been carried out on the site, including badger, bat, and aquatic surveys, a spokesperson for the company said. 

A ring fort, likely to have been built during the Bronze Age, will be carefully zoned with informative signage placed on-site to honour its historical significance, a spokesperson said.

Social and affordable housing

The company has said it will engage with the council to hand over a suitable number of units for social and affordable housing, satisfying the Part 5 obligation of the Planning Act.

A Traffic and Transport Assessment (TTA) along with a Flood Risk Assessment has also been carried out as required for submission to Kerry County Council.

Ned O’Shea Construction managing director James O’Shea said the proposal was exciting and well-timed.

“We have been building for communities in Kerry for over 50 years, including houses, churches, hospitals, and schools like Mounthawk Secondary School close to the Lisloose development. This latest project is very exciting, and we believe it is vital to help Tralee on its current growth trajectory," he said.

“There are a lot of promising projects in the pipeline, such as the €300m Astellas Pharma facility announcement, with new hotels and restaurants adding to our community.

“We believe this project is well-timed, with more and more people struggling to afford their first home, and it will undoubtedly benefit the local community.” 

Architect Brendan Williams designed the project, with his son, David Williams, of Workshop Architects, also involved. Cathal O’Meara Landscape Architect, based in Cork, and Malachy Walsh & Partners (MWP) in Blennerville, Tralee, also worked on the project.

Of the 235 homes, 76 will be one-bedroom apartments; there will be 30 two-bedroom apartments; 38 two-bedroom houses; 83 three-bedroom houses; and eight four-bedroom houses.