The government has approved €186.3m in funding to develop a new west Dublin town between Lucan, Clondalkin and Liffey valley.

The Urban Regeneration Fund will provide transport, water and public park infrastructure to facilitate over 8,700 new homes in Clonburris, accommodating 23,000 people.

The Clonburris Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) Enabling Infrastructure Project will involve the provision of critical strategic infrastructure, including:

• new link roads, utility corridors and bridges that will provide connectivity with surrounding areas and facilitate sustainable modes of transport;
• public parks forming part of an integrated network of multi-use public open spaces;
• a green infrastructure network that will protect and enhance biodiversity in the SDZ;
• community centres and other multi-purpose civic facilities;
• pumping stations and other sustainable urban drainage measures;
• regional attenuation ponds for drainage management.

South Dublin County Council is leading the wider development of the Clonburris SDZ and progressing plans to deliver up to 2,600 social and affordable homes with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage at six authority-owned sites in the SDZ.

"This funding will make it possible for a whole new town to be built in west Dublin, the first project of its kind in a generation, one which was strongly supported by the Taoiseach and the wider government," said Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien.

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"Clonburris will be a well-designed town with over 8,700 homes, good transport links and vital amenities and services. Up to 2,600 of these homes will be social and affordable homes delivered by my Department and South Dublin County Council.

"Today’s announcement illustrates the ever-growing reach of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund in revitalising our cities and towns, improving their offering as places in which to live, work, visit or invest.”

Despite the 8,700 figure, the government said between 7,730 and 11,098 homes, including 1,000 social homes and 1,600 affordable homes, could ultimately be delivered.

The wider project is also set to include 15.5km of cycleways and walkways, 3.3km of canal frontage, and 90 hectares of open space as well as two train stations, links to the M50, N7 and N4, eight schools, 7,300 sq m of community floor space, and 31,115 sq m of employment floor space.

The IRDF has a total allocation of €2bn for 2019-2027 with €159m to fund projects in 2022, and the fund has already provided assistance to 132 projects.

(Pic: Getty Images)