RACING at Leopardstown will not be affected in any significant way by plans to build 800 homes on 17 acres of racecourse lands at the Carrickmines end of the site.

Through Horse Racing Ireland [HRI], which owns the racecourse, Leopardstown has been in talks with the Land Development Agency [LDA] for at least three years over plans for the site which the LDA claimed was ‘vacant’. Leopardstown contested this and said it was developing a ‘masterplan’ for the entire campus.

This week it was announced that both parties have reached an agreement that will see HRI transfer ownership of the land to the LDA. The new development will be served by the activation of a new Luas station located on the site.

Paul Dermody, CEO of HRI Racecourses, told The Irish Field: “We have agreed to sell a parcel of land equating to just under 17 acres to the LDA to facilitate the construction of social and affordable homes. It is located at the southern end of the Leopardstown Racecourse campus and straddles the Luas Green line.

“We are very pleased to be at this point. From the outset of discussions with the Government on this matter we have demonstrated there is a win-win possible for all parties whereby the Irish racing industry can make a significant and meaningful contribution to the housing crisis and we can also protect and grow Leopardstown as a flagship venue for Irish racing, home and abroad.”

Asked if the housing development will affect normal racecourse operations, Dermody said: “The LDA are a number of years away from breaking ground on site, having to progress through design and planning phases, but there will be no impact to the current or future racing schedule at Leopardstown.” He added that stabling facilities will also be unaffected.

Collaborative process

Proceeds from the sale will be directly reinvested in Leopardstown’s core business. In the meantime HRI will be working on the Leopardstown masterplan.

Dermody said: “We will shortly be commencing a collaborative process with the local authority and other key stakeholders to bring forward complementary land uses for Leopardstown Racecourse.

“The current HRI Strategic Plan calls for the implementation of a ‘transformative masterplan for Leopardstown Racecourse that introduces new and enhanced revenue streams to reinvest in the racecourse’. This agreement is the first and most significant milestone in delivering on that objective.

“Leopardstown already has an extensive list of non-racing commercial income streams such as golf, driving range, retail, and tenants such as Westwood, Super Social and McGuirks, so this agreement will facilitate the future development of new and incremental commercial activities. But racing has always – and will always – be at the heart of what we do here and why we do it.”