Major 1,500 Arklow Housing Development Set For Kilbride Lands
A major new Arklow housing development is set for the town, with plans for up to 1,500 homes at the Kilbride lands on the north side of the River Avoca. The submission, made on behalf of Lioncor Developments during the pre-draft consultation stage for the new Arklow and Environs Local Area Plan (LAP), outlines a long-term vision to transform the area into a thriving, sustainable community.
The 77-hectare site, just off the Dublin Road next to St. Joseph’s National School in Templerainey, identified as Action Area Plan 3 (AAP3), has long been earmarked for development but was held back by infrastructural constraints. Most notably, a lack of a modern wastewater treatment facility has now been resolved with the construction of the new Arklow plant.
Lioncor’s submission urges Wicklow County Council to retain the current zoning and accelerate the development process, warning that further delays would hamper Arklow’s ability to address its sluggish population growth compared to other towns in the region. Between 2016 and 2022, Arklow’s population grew by just 1.8%, significantly below the national average of 8%.
What’s Proposed?
The full build-out of AAP3 includes:
- Up to 1,500 homes of various types and densities
- A new school campus (already approved) with primary and post-primary facilities
- A local centre with retail, childcare, and community services
- Over 12 hectares of public open space, including parks, sports areas, and playgrounds
- Pedestrian and cycling routes linking to the town and regional greenways
Phase one of the project, which includes 84 homes and key infrastructure works, is currently awaiting final planning approval. A larger Large-Scale Residential Development (LRD) application for approximately 1,420 additional units is now in pre-planning, alongside key infrastructure such as roads and green routes.
A Case for Balanced Growth
Lioncor argues that North Arklow has historically been underdeveloped, with only 22% of the town’s population currently living north of the river. The Kilbride site offers direct access to the M11, proximity to bus and rail services, and a prime opportunity to rebalance growth away from the south side of the town.
They also highlight the advantage of single land ownership across the Kilbride lands, which allows for more coherent planning and phased infrastructure delivery. This is something not currently possible with other action areas (AAP1 and AAP2) due to fragmented ownership and poor access.
Call to Lift Restrictions
A key point of contention in the submission is a current restriction that limits full development of the AAP3 lands until a new Avoca River bridge is delivered. An expensive and long-term goal without current funding or design. Lioncor is requesting that this restriction be lifted or revised, arguing that the development will be largely self-sustaining and unlikely to significantly impact existing traffic congestion.
Looking Ahead
With strong support from local planning precedent and alignment with national housing policy, Lioncor is positioning this development as a crucial step forward in tackling Arklow’s housing needs. The company, which has delivered homes across the country, says it is fully funded and ready to begin construction once approvals are in place.
As Arklow prepares to adopt its new Local Area Plan, the Kilbride submission will be central to discussions on where and how the town should grow in the coming decade.
