Cherrywood SDZ was the single largest undeveloped land-bank in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown at the time of its designation, and is approximately 360 hectares in size, nestled at the foot of the Dublin Mountains, is strategically located between the M50 and N11 transport corridors approximately 1km north of where they fork from the M11 and approximately 8km south of Dún Laoghaire town centre. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, in recognising the area's strategic importance, applied to the Government for Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) status and the Government designated it as an SDZ in May, 2010.
The front-loading of significant transport and social infrastructure (parks and schools) outlined in the approved Cherrywood Planning Scheme 2014 (as amended) has ensured that the SDZ area is transformed into a new vibrant community, with approx. 10,500 homes including a minimum of 10% social housing units, spread over the new Town Centre and 3 smaller Village Centres with superior transport links including an enhanced bus service and 5 Luas stops throughout.