The first phase of homes built in a new Dublin development zone at Adamstown have gone on sale.
Located ten miles from Dublin city, planners hope that Adamstown will develop its own identity, rather than simply being another commuter town. There are 10,000 homes planned for Adamstown, supporting an eventual population of 25,000 people. As sales opened today, hundreds of prospective buyers queued from early morning to be first in line for the 330 units of phase one. The units are priced at between €280,000 and €520,000. Half of the phase one homes should be ready to move into by the summer.
The thinking behind the development is to counteract Dublin's growing urban sprawl.
Paul Hogan, Adamstown Project Manager for South Dublin County Council, says the development is about creating a smaller urban centre that is self-contained with all the required services and infrastructure.
Adamstown is located near Lucan, which already has a population of about 30,000 people. Some people living in Lucan are concerned that the additional population will create further traffic congestion. Gerry O'Flynn, Lucan Together for Quality of Life says,
Gridlock is synonymous with Lucan at the moment.
There are key commitments to infrastructure which go along with the Adamstown development, including the completion of a link road, new bus services and the construction of a train station.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 16 February 2006. The reporter is Jonathan Clynch.
