HORSE Racing Ireland [HRI] says it is engaging with the Land Development Agency [LDA], the state body which this week identified a 23-hectare site on Leopardstown Racecourse which would be suitable for up to 2,000 new homes.

The land in question is situated on the Carrickmines side of Leopardstown’s property, running alongside the M50 motorway, and it is mainly used for car parking on busy racedays. One corner of the land parcel runs right alongside the turn into the racecourse back straight.

The racecourse, which is owned and controlled by HRI, is expected to fight to retain the land though it will likely be a political battle.

Asked for comment, a HRI spokesperson said: “HRI is collaboratively engaging with all stakeholders including the LDA regarding the development of a masterplan for the Leopardstown Racecourse campus.

“Leopardstown is one of Europe’s premier racetracks and, as custodians of Ireland’s horseracing and breeding industries, HRI is committed to ensuring a sustainable and vibrant Leopardstown while supporting the Government in its Housing for All Strategy as well as Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and its County Development Plan (2022-2028).”

In 2021 the LDA was tasked with identifying state-owned sites with development potential. Its report this week listed 83 sites with potential for up to 67,000 new homes, and the Leopardstown site is the biggest of them all.

The report classified the ‘Carrickmines Little’ site as Class 1, which means it is “considered to be land with least constraints … regarded as being substantially ready for near to medium term residential delivery.”

The LDA has the power to acquire land owned by state agencies. Last December the Irish Independent reported that Fine Gael ministers Peter Burke and Martin Heydon sought assurances from Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue that he would intervene if the LDA sought to acquire significant amounts of land attached to the racecourse.

In 2018 the same piece of land was identified by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council as a ‘vacant lot’ worth €89 million which should be surrendered for housing or be liable for an annual tax bill of €2.3 million.

Leopardstown and Horse Racing Ireland lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála, which they won, and the site was removed from the vacant lots register.