The plans are being submitted to An Bord Pleanála, more than a year after permission was initially granted.
The application, submitted by the Land Development Agency (LDA), represents its largest project to date and aims to deliver affordable and social housing.
The LDA received permission in May last year for the construction of 852 homes; however, the plans were delayed due to a judicial review initiated by an objector.
Although this temporarily halted progress, the LDA has robustly defended its plans, stating that the development represents the “optimum use” of state land, having conducted “extensive community consultation” during the planning stages.
The new application, submitted in partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, proposes the development of 940 apartments, 17 duplexes, and 20 houses, with building heights ranging from two to seven storeys.
The majority of the apartments will be affordable and cost-rental homes, aimed at low and middle-income workers. Additionally, 181 social homes will be provided for people on the council’s waiting list.
The range of homes is designed to accommodate people at all stages of life, including families and older residents.
The site of the former Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum has, over the past year, been used to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.
The development will also include extensive facilities for residents and the wider community, such as a community centre with indoor sports facilities, a medical centre, a café, and a childcare facility.
The planning application covers 9.6 hectares of the 11.3-hectare site, with the remaining area encompassing the location of the main hospital buildings.
The hospital, which opened in 1850, is still in use as the Central Mental Hospital. The Masterplan outlines a phased approach to the redevelopment of the entire site, including the sensitive adaptive reuse of the existing hospital building in a future phase.
There will also be a strong emphasis on minimising car use and prioritising pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport, with a network of links across the site, which is located just 450 metres from Windy Arbour Luas station.
The LDA states that the proposed development will “open up a part of Dublin that has been closed off for 170 years”.
Parts of the hospital’s existing perimeter wall will be removed to improve public access and permeability.
“We are excited to be making this planning application for the largest LDA project to date, which will showcase our ability to make efficient use of public land to help address the country’s housing shortage,” said John Coleman, CEO of the LDA.
“We have taken a proactive approach to engage with the local community, politicians, and our partners in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
“We received extensive and constructive feedback, and I want to thank all who participated in this process, which has informed the Masterplan for Dundrum Central.
“The support and collaboration of the HSE and OPW throughout the design phase have also made a valuable contribution.”
