Construction has finally begun on a new “town” on the northern side of Drogheda, the largest town in Ireland, 15 years after it was originally planned. The new local area plan is targeted to accommodate a population of 50,000, inclusive of its surroundings north and south of the Boyne, with 15% of Drogheda already falling within the Co Meath boundary. The northern environs of the town will be the focal point for continued growth in Co Louth, with work already underway on the 5.6km Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR), providing access to a 254 hectare land bank that will allow for 7,600 new homes. The first 2.1 kilometres of the PANCR are scheduled to open next year, freeing the way for the first phase of over 2,500 housing units. The development of the Drogheda Northern Environs was halted due to the crash of the Celtic Tiger, but the road’s construction will make a significant contribution towards its long-awaited revival. Housing Infrastructure Services Company (HISCo), a commercial joint venture between the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and Cork County Council, is funding the PANCR, providing the necessary infrastructure for housing, and enabling the construction of new units as developers repay their loans.
