The planned development is to consist of newly built homes and supporting amenities within an attractive environment, together with the repurposing of historic buildings on site. It is estimated that some 1,200 new homes will be provided with supporting community amenities. The development is also expected to include sensitive adaptive reuse of key heritage buildings within a distinctive setting. Connectivity and community integration will be important outcomes for the new neighbourhood.

The LDA will seek to incorporate design features to open up the 11.3-hectare site which has always been enclosed by a 5-metre high wall, to integrate it with the wider Dundrum neighbourhood.

The LDA design approach aims to be inclusive and responsive to the local context and the unique opportunity that the site presents for a new distinct and integrated urban community in Dundrum.

It is intended to lodge a planning application in mid-2021.

Originally erected as part of an ideological and forward-thinking initiative, the site has tremendous potential for development, sensitive reuse of heritage structures and integration into the Dundrum community. The constructive reuse of Dundrum Central Mental Hospital will be informed by its historical development, inherent value as a heritage asset and what it means to the people with whom it shares its home, as part of a transformative landmark new neighbourhood.

An important part of the consultation process will involve engaging with the local community of Dundrum, to hear people’s own stories and memories of the site and the surrounding area. Heritage themed workshops will be held at key stages of the consultation process. This will help to ensure that at the heart of the design and development process is a solid understanding of local heritage, to protect both the architectural and cultural value of Dundrum Central Mental Hospital and to enhance the potential for this area to become a distinctive and integrated sustainable new neighbourhood.