Ardstone Homes, a builder backed by the state’s Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), is planning to build more than 300 houses in Newbridge, Co Kildare. Earlier this month Ardstone entered into a consultation process with An Bord Pleanala. It is seeking to fast-track plans to build 315 units and a childcare facility at the Athgarvan Road site. Part of international investment house Ardstone Capital, the company — which is led in Ireland by former Friends First executive Donal O’Neill — has been increasingly active in the house-building market after divesting office investments. In recent years the builder has sold off Dublin office blocks such as the Velasco office and Harbourmaster Place, bought for more than €110m by Irish Life and German investor Real IS respectively.

Source: The Times March 25, 2018 00:01 UTC