€2.5m field of opportunity to build on, in historic Ardfert

More than 16 acres in the heart of the North Kerry village are on the market with potential for future housing and mixed-use development

A 16 acre site in heart of the village of Ardfert, Co Kerry, is on the market guiding in the region of €2.5m

A SUBSTANTIAL landholding in the heart of the Co Kerry village of Ardfert, with potential for housing and mixed-use development, has been launched to market with a guide price in the region of €2.5m.

The strategically located property includes 6.6ha (16.3a) of predominantly level greenfield land, as well as a two-bedroom house, a commercial garage unit and an adjoining carpark.

The sale, subject to planning permission, includes:

• 2.79ha (6.89a) of land zoned ‘R4/Strategic Residential Reserve’, a local authority classification that marks it out for future housing development;
• 3.72ha (9.19a)) zoned M1/Mixed-Use/General Development which could potentially include both residential and commercial elements;
• 0.09ha (0.2a) comprised of the commercial yard/carpark/house, zoned ‘M2/Town/Village Centre’ which provides for the development and enhancement of town core uses, including retail, residential, commercial, civic and other uses.

Eamonn McQuinn of McQuinn Property Services said the key attraction of the subject property is that “it is not a remote greenfield site, it’s in the heart of an established village”.

It’s a commuter village too, just 8km north of Tralee, where village inhabitants regularly commute to work. The Kerry County Development Plan 2022-2028 records Ardfert’s population at 797, making it the largest village in Kerry by population. The development plan has earmarked it for growth, albeit in a controlled and sequential way, rather than through unrestricted expansion into surrounding farmland. The development plan core strategy sets a housing target of 61 new homes for the village and while short term development will take place on existing residential-zoned land, an R4 zoning anticipates longer term residential expansion, with housing density determined through a planning application.

The land currently on the market represents the largest land sale in the village in many years, according to Mr McQuinn.

“There’s been nothing at this level for a long time, not in the village,” said the agent, who is seeking offers in excess of €2.5m, with the sale subject to planning.

Ardfert site, Co Kerry

The prime site has extensive frontage and direct access to the R551 road, with additional access from the western boundary onto a second public road.

The property is being sold by two local landowners whose decision to join forces for the purpose of the sale will improve access to the site for the buyer. The commercial premises, carpark and dwelling are owned by a local property owner, while the greenfield site is in a local family’s ownership. The garage, Casey’s, continues to trade, while the house is rented out.

Mr McQuinn said given the site’s “strong village setting, it’s a great opportunity for someone to make a lasting impact on the village in time to come”.

“It’s a strategically important landholding given the size and location and it opens up a range of possibilities, subject to planning,” the agent added.

He’s already fielded a number of calls from small developers but expects interest also from investors, including institutional investors. Mr McQuinn said they were “casting the net wide” and he didn’t rule out interest from the local authority, given the significance of the site within Ardfert village, and the potential for different types of development.

Ardfert is best known for its medieval religious heritage. Among its notable landmarks are the ruins of Ardfert Cathedral, a medieval church associated with St Brendan the Navigator, who is said to have founded a monastery in the village in the 6th century.

An old black and white photograph of Ardfert Cathedral

There is also a 13th century friary associated with the Fitzmaurice family, members of the Anglo-Norman aristocracy, who were major landlords in North Kerry by the 13th century. Other neighbourhood highlights include nearby Banna Strand, a Blue Flag beach with environmental designations around its dunes/coast and Fenit Beach, 12km away, which is now linked to Tralee via a greenway.

DETAILS: Eamonn McQuinn, McQuinn Property Services T: 066 7129355 E: [e-mail]