400 new-build social homes in the delivery pipeline for Meath

NOELLE FINEGAN

The latest Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR) has confirmed that 400 new-build social homes are now in the delivery pipeline for Meath.

According to the report, 144 homes were under construction across the county as of quarter four 2025, with a further 256 units at design or tender stage.

Nationally, 22,949 new-build social homes are in the delivery process with 9,703 were under construction and a further 13,246 units at design or tender stage. The CSR provides a detailed overview of new-build activity across local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies nationwide.

In Meath, approved housing body schemes currently under construction include 26 houses at Frederick Court, Ashbourne for the Circle Voluntary Housing Association (phase one); five homes at Bailey Hill, Navan, for Clúid; and 50 homes at Rooske Gardens, The Heights, Dunboyne Castle, for the Iveagh Trust. Schemes being progressed by Meath County Council that are under construction include 30 homes at Avourwen, Drogheda; 27 homes at Rathaldron Court, Navan; five homes at Pitcher Lane, Kells and also a single house, Ivy Cottage, New Lands; and six homes at New Lane, Abbeylands, Navan.

There are also several schemes that have not yet gone to construction and are in design or tender stage.

They include eight homes at St Columba’s Apartments, Pitcher Lane, Kells; and two at Blackhill Crescent Donacarney which are all at stage four tender report.

Projects at stage three pre-tender design include 22 houses at Church View, Rathmolyon which have been at this stage since quarter four 2022. Latest information from Meath County Council indicates an estimated start date of quarter three this year with an estimated completion date of quarter one 2028.

A scheme of four houses at Haggard Street, Trim, on the site of two derelict cottages, is also at stage four pre-tender design.

Further schemes at stage two pre planning include 79 houses at Archerstown, Ashewood, Ashbourne, which drew a lot of local objections. When the part eight came before councillors there was a split vote aof three/three and it was ultimately rejected with the cathaoirleach having the casting vote. According to Meath County Council, the design is currently being updated to take account of the variation to the development adopted in 2025 in relation to Universal Design and the planning process will commence in due course.

Two schemes in Kells listed as being at pre planning at the end of 2025 had been delayed pending a judicial review sought by Kells Anglers which were withdrawn last November. They are 47 units at Carrick Street and 22 houses at Archdeaconry View.

The Carrick Street Regeneration, Kells, is expected to start early next year with estimated completion date of quarter one 2029, while Archdeaconry has an estimated start date of quarter four this year with estimated completion date of quarter three 2027.

Eight houses proposed by Meath Women's Refuge, recent rebranded as Willow Domestic Abuse Services are also at stage two.

A house at Painestown, Kilcloon, by the Marillac Housing Association is also at stage two pre-planning.

Projects at capital appraisal stage, the first stage in the process include48 houses at Loughcrew Hills, Oldcastle, one at Kellystown Slane for St John of God's Housing Association; five houses at Church Street, Oldcastle and two in Loman Street, Trim, for the St Vincent de Paul Housing Association and one house at Donaghmore Road, Navan, for Tabor House.

The report for quarter four of 2025 also give a detailed breakdown of schemes completed in the last four years. According to the report, more than 360 social homes were completed in Meath last year for both Meath County Council and the approved housing bodies.

They include the fourth phase of the Respond scheme at Athboy Road, Navan, providing 12 houses to bring that scheme to a total of 63 homes. North East Housing Association completed 12 houses at Emmet Court, Trim, and five units at Flowerhill Lodge, Navan.

Clúid Housing schemes completed included 45 houses at Gardenrath, Kells; 21 homes (phase three) at Wood Stream, Old Athlumney Road, Navan bringing it to 39 homes altogether and 12 houses in the second phase of Glen Boann, Donacarney, bringing it to 24 houses.

The Tuath Housing Association completed 20 houses Narrow Ways, Bettystown 20 bringing it to 40 in total.

Schemes completed for Meath County Council last year included: Aylesbury House Clonee, 66; Blackthorn Close, Kells, 3; Silver Bank, Stamullen, 5; Donacarney Village, 16; Cluain Adain Heights, Navan, 12; Railway Court, Bective Lane, Kells, 25; Woodview Heights Dunboyne, 2; Swan Lane, Balreask, Navan 6; Brews Hill, Navan, 12; Newtown, Drumconrath, 1; Connaught Grove, Athboy, 47 (phase 2); Sycamore Abbey, Flower Hill, Navan, 14; Clos na Croise, Ballivor, 8.

At Sanderling Park, Narroways, Bettystown, 20 homes were completed last year bringing it to 75 homes in total.

The houses delivered in Meath are among the record output of 9,000 newly built social homes last year, the highest annual figure to date.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD said: “The continued momentum shown in these figures reflects the real and lasting impact that sustained investment in social housing is having both in Meath and across the country.

“Every new home delivered means long-term stability for a family or individual and I am determined that this progress continues at pace.”

The CSR provides a breakdown of local authority and Approved Housing Body social housing new-build activity. It includes scheme-level details on the completion of social housing new builds, as well as information on each construction scheme as it progresses through the design and tender processes. It does not include local authority Part V delivery.

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