Louth’s new age friendly scheme building homes for the future

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

A new age friendly social housing scheme is in the pipeline at Newtown Link Road in Drogheda, where 45 new bungalows are being built with the needs of older people in mind.

The Greenhill’s Grange housing scheme, which also includes a five bed assisted living bungalow, will enable older people to live independently, safely, and actively within their community. It features housing and public open spaces that are inclusive, accessible, and thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of an ageing population.

Once complete, houses within the development will be allocated to people aged 55 and over.

With construction well underway, it was time for a progress update when Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr Seán Kelly was joined by Mayor of Drogheda, Cllr Michelle Hall and Chief Executive of Louth County Council, David Conway for a site visit.

“Greenhill’s Grange is a clear demonstration of our commitment meeting the housing needs of today while also planning for the future. Thanks to the pipeline of developments like this across the county, more and more people in Louth will enjoy secure, long-term, energy efficient and comfortable new homes,” said the Cathaoirleach.

Construction began on site in February 2025. Contractors, Cunningham Contracts Ltd, informed the delegation that over 40% of works have been completed to date and the development is on track for completion by mid-2026.

Cllr Michelle Hall, Mayor of Drogheda, said it was encouraging to see the progress being made on the development, adding: “Greenhill’s Grange will provide high quality homes to people; its location provides access to the town and local services and gives residents the opportunity to set down roots which will strengthen the local community.”

Chief Executive of Louth County Council, David Conway, highlighted a commitment by the local authority “to ensuring that every person, regardless of age, has access to housing that enhances their quality of life and supports ageing in place.”

He added: “In Louth, we are delivering homes that support older people to live well, safely, and actively in the heart of their communities. A key part of this is promoting right-sizing - offering older residents the opportunity to move into more suitable, accessible homes that better meet their changing needs, while freeing up larger family homes for younger generations. This approach ensures that our housing stock works for everyone.”

Declan Gaffney, National Technical Programme Manager with Age Friendly Ireland added: “The population of Ireland is getting older and the spaces we live in need to reflect that and adapt to it. Housing that supports ageing enables older people to enjoy more active, healthy, and socially connected lives, while preserving both their independence and dignity. It also contributes to improved health outcomes and a greater sense of well-being, in addition to being financially sustainable.”