New homes for Nenagh
Construction has started on a new development that will see 80 affordable housing units built in Nenagh.
Groundworks are underway ahead of the first phase of 31 units at Tyone, which are expected to be complete by the third quarter of next year. The 29 three-bed and two four-bed units are part of a series of badly-needed social and affordable housing units expected to become available in the near future between Tyone, the Dromin Road and behind the Abbey Court Hotel.
Provided by Whitebox Developments in conjunction with Tipperary Co Council, the 31 affordable housing units at Tyone are subsidised by the Department of Housing, which has approved funding for the housing scheme. The move has been welcomed by local TDs Ryan O’Meara and Alan Kelly, both of whom spoke of positive signs for housing provision in Nenagh.
‘INUNDATED’
“This has been a bit of a journey to say the least,” Deputy Kelly said of bringing the Tyone development to construction stage. “I’ve been in touch with the department on a monthly basis to get this over the line but affordable housing is where we need to go. There are so many people looking for these houses – I have been inundated with people looking for them since they’ve been announced – so I’m looking forward to this scheme being produced by Tipperary Co Council in the coming months.”
He encouraged prospective buyers to try and get mortgage approval first and then work with the council through criteria that will be outlined in early 2027. Deputy Kelly took the opportunity to thank Martin White of Whitebox and Tipperary Co Council for their commitment to delivering the scheme.
“This is great news for Nenagh and surrounds, and I look forward to many families settling here in the years to come,” he said.
Deputy O’Meara agreed and described the Tyone development as “a very important step towards making home ownership more accessible for people in our area, especially first-time buyers who want to put down roots in their own community.
“We all know that affordability remains a challenge for many people hoping to purchase their first home. Developments like this are an important step in addressing that challenge and ensuring that more people have a realistic opportunity to own a home.”
Deputy O’Meara added that further affordable housing schemes will be delivered across Tipperary as opportunities arise. “It is important that we continue to increase the supply of quality homes and provide more pathways to home ownership for people across our county,” he stated.
RESPOND HOUSING
The 80 affordable housing units planned for Tyone are part of an overall development that will see a total 340 new houses provided at that location by Whitebox. Among these are 193 private housing units, along with a 90-bed nursing home and a creche, all of which are yet to be built.
The overall development also includes 67 units that were completed this year and transferred to the Respond approved housing body. Respond has yet to indicate when these units will be ready for occupation, though Deputy Kelly expected to see the first residents moving in “shortly”.
He also expressed hope that a separate development of 32 houses behind the Abbey Court Hotel would become available in the coming months. The local TD said an approved housing body is working with Tipperary Co Council on these units, which were completed this year by Bin An Fheadain Limited.
“They are complete,” Deputy Kelly said. “There is an outstanding issue between the developer and the owner of the road there, but I can’t see how that should hold up the allocation of those houses.”
He added: “There’s a huge demand for social housing locally. A lot of people are falling through the cracks, people who are working very hard, couples working very hard, who can’t afford full mortgages. This is a real option for them so I would encourage people in that bracket to really look into these.”
DROMIN ROAD
Deputy Kelly was also involved in securing housing for the Dromin Road, where Quantum Homes is delivering a total of 307 new units at Droim an Óir. He said there would be an affordable housing scheme here too, details of which will be made clear next year. This development must also await sign-off from the Department of Housing. “But it will happen,” Deputy Kelly said. “It’s just a case of lining it up.”
A first phase of 41 completed private houses at Droim an Óir was recently launched. Deputy Kelly confirmed that a number of issues delayed occupation of these houses but understood that these issues were of a minor nature and were being resolved.
NENAGH ‘FLYING IT’
Houses are being built and substantial planning applications have been granted at a number of other locations around the town. Deputy Kelly looked forward to further housing announcements in 2027 and commented that per capita, Nenagh now has one of the largest amounts of houses being built in Ireland.
“It shows you how economically sound and how prosperous the town has become with all the industry in the town, and agriculture and tourism. Nenagh has become a commuter town for Dublin and Limerick; we’re like a satellite of Limerick. It’s a big shopping town and it’s great that everyone is pulling together in the town.
“Nenagh is absolutely flying it as regards a town. Yes, we do have small issues here and there but, as towns go, everyone I meet is impressed by Nenagh, by its economic activity, by its shopping capacity and by its location,” Deputy Kelly said.
“Lots of people who are from the area are trying to move back from Dublin and other locations because they want to live in the locality and raise families. We have great facilities – great sports facilities, great social facilities, facilities for kids and adults, and there’s a lot of work being done by various community groups as well.
“For me, it’s a great pleasure after 20 years in politics to see the town, which I’ve put so much effort into, to be developing so well with so many houses now being built in the town. It’s really striking and really shows that Nenagh is one of the best towns in Ireland.”