Developer Appeals Delay of 640-Home Swords Project Amid Metrolink Uncertainty

URGENT UPDATE: A housing developer is pushing back against a recent decision that delays a significant housing project in Swords, Dublin, due to conditions tied to the long-awaited Metrolink. Cairn Homes has officially appealed the ruling from Fingal County Council, which granted permission for the Holybanks development on June 16, 2025, but imposed restrictions that could stall almost half of the planned homes.

The Holybanks site is set to deliver 640 homes, comprising a mix of 219 one-bedroom units, 281 two-bedroom units, 119 three-bedroom units, and 21 four-bedroom units. The project includes 11 apartment blocks reaching up to five stories high, housing 474 units, alongside 132 houses and 34 duplex units. However, crucial phases of the project have been halted until the Metrolink is completed and operational.

The contentious decision mandates that Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the development cannot commence until the Metrolink is fully functional. In its appeal submitted to An Comisiuin Pleanala on July 14, 2025, Cairn Homes argues that this condition renders 305 units—nearly half of the entire project—vulnerable to significant delays due to the uncertain timeline surrounding the Metrolink’s development.

The appeal highlights that the Metrolink application has been under review by the ABP since September 2022, yet a determination date remains elusive. There are concerns that any decision made could be subject to judicial review, potentially pushing construction timelines beyond 2030.

Cairn Homes emphasizes that these delays contradict national planning guidelines aimed at prioritizing housing delivery amidst an ongoing housing crisis. They contend that the current decision undermines efforts to increase housing availability in the region, which is desperately needed.

The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. With the housing emergency intensifying, the implications of this appeal are significant for Swords residents and the broader Dublin area. As the appeal unfolds, all eyes will be on An Comisiuin Pleanala to see how it addresses the pressing need for timely housing solutions against the backdrop of transportation infrastructure development.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.