Because of the renewed interest in housing sites, Savills has opted to auction two development opportunities in Blackrock, Co Dublin, and Bray, Co Wicklow, on March 13th.

Jill Horan is guiding €1.5 million for a detached house on a corner site of 0.23 of a hectare (0.57 of an acre) at Grove Avenue in Blackrock. The site has full planning permission for three large five-bedroom detached houses fronting on to Grove Avenue and Grove Lawns. The two-storey house on the site is in need of extensive refurbishment.

The second site on Strand Road in Bray extends to 0.23 of a hectare (0.59 of an acre) and is within 500 metres of Bray Dart station. Previous planning permission for 39 apartments and one commercial unit has run out.

John Swarbrigg of Savills said parties would see the opportunity to develop a mixed-use scheme. "We certainly expect good interest in the site in view of its planning history and the fact that its seafront zoning will allow a multitude of mixed-use opportunities."