About Fidelma
Fidelma is a Commercial Real Estate partner and heads Beauchamps’ specialised Housing group. She is the go-to expert in complex conveyancing and is an acknowledged market leader in the acquisition, construction, delivery, financing and management of social and affordable housing projects.
Fidelma is a key player in the efforts to deliver on Ireland's housing needs.
She works with local authorities, state agencies, Approved Housing Bodies, developers, home builders, lending institutions, pension funds, charities and sporting bodies, as well as institutional investors.
As a result of her extensive experience, Fidelma has a unique insight into the key legal, commercial, and social issues around social and affordable and mixed-tenure housing provision and a deep understanding of the unique and complex challenges that arise in the sector. Fidelma has well-developed client relationship management and project management expertise and regularly collaborates with Beauchamps' construction, banking and procurement teams to deliver bespoke advice particular to stakeholders in the housing sector.
She is ranked in Chambers and Partners and recognised as a leading individual by Legal 500.
Fidelma's particular expertise is in delivering large-scale mixed tenure projects and her housing team has been acknowledged for their contribution to Irish society with the Public Sector Excellence in Business Award for ‘Best Legal Team’ for 7 successive years.
Relevant Experience
Co-operative Housing Ireland on the acquisition of Glass House
Respond on various acquisitions and development projects to deliver over 4,000 social and cost-rental homes. This work includes bulk acquisition of homes and advising on construction-led large-scale mixed-use developments, purchase of development sites, drafting and negotiating bespoke development agreements, purchase of assets for remediation, and advising on all related real estate and construction matters, as well as funding through the Housing Finance Agency plc and regulatory and governance matters. Recent projects include the development of 725 homes at Rathborne Wharf, Ashtown, Dublin 15; 590 homes at Pipers Square, Charlestown, Finglas, Dublin; and 318 homes at Seven Mills, Clonburris, Dublin 24.
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency (The Housing Agency) on the acquisition and sale of homes under its vacant housing purchase initiative, as well as bulk acquisitions of new housing schemes and as advisor on the Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme.
Clúid Housing in relation to the acquisition and development of housing projects to deliver substantial numbers of social and affordable homes, including most recently the forward purchase of 141 homes in the SDZ at Cherrywood, Dublin.
The Iveagh Trust on its largest forward purchase project to date of 418 homes at Ballyfermot, Dublin 10.
North and East Housing Association in relation to the acquisition of numerous individual units and turn-key housing developments.
Dublin City Council on its "first of its kind" local authority-led mixed-use neighbourhood-scale redevelopment of a landmark site (c. 4 ha) at Emmet Road in Dublin 8, including circa. 500 homes.
Fingal County Council on the acquisition of both second-hand and new bulk acquisitions, including compliance with Part V agreements.
Land Development Agency (LDA) on their Project Tosaigh initiative to unlock delivery of affordable homes on planning-consented lands.
National Asset Residential Property Services DAC (NARPS) Beauchamps, predominantly led by Fidelma, has been responsible for the delivery of legal services to NARPS in the implementation of its social housing initiative. This involved the acquisition of circa 2,000 residential units throughout Ireland through multi-unit purchases from NAMA debtors/receivers and the long-term lease of units to Approved Housing Bodies funded by housing authorities.
Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI) as lender in relation to various facilities provided for significant real estate and housing projects.
Ulster Bank DAC and Permanent TSB in relation to the Government’s Mortgage to Rent Scheme.
Various major developers on the purchase of multiple greenfield and brownfield sites and on the onwards sale of residential and commercial units, including Cairn Homes plc, Orivo Properties Limited, Urban Life and Manley Construction.
IDA Ireland in relation to the real estate aspects of a number of ongoing and strategically important transactions, including acquiring lands to facilitate the strategic development of IDA Technology Parks and leasing of industrial units to international companies to ensure prudent portfolio management.