Ballybough House redevelopment plan.

Earlier this month, I requested the Housing Department of Dublin City Council to provide me with a detailed update outlining the Council’s plan to redevelop Ballybough House.

Officials have since responded to advise me that the Housing Department is examining options on how to redevelop Ballybough House whilst simultaneously respecting and preserving the architectural heritage of the protected structure. The key challenge, for the City Council is to ensure that the any plan to redevelop the complex whilst relating sensitively to the architectural detail, scale, proportions and design of the original structure.

I can confirm that experienced personnel within the Housing (including City Architects) Department and the Planning and Economic Development Department are collaborating on this project.

In terms of options being considered by the Council, one is the amalgamation of units into larger sized apartments. A pilot amalgamation of two two-beds into a three-bed will shortly commence and this will enable an informed evidence based approach to the future re-development of the complex. The project is at tender assessment stage and it is envisaged that the pilot amalgamation will start on site in November 2020. The works will take 18 weeks and it is the intention that engagement and consultation with all relevant stakeholders will commence early 2021.

The Chief Executive and Brendan Kenny, Deputy CEO & Housing Department Manager have confirmed to me that securing the redevelopment of Ballybough House along these lines could enable this to become a blueprint for the redevelopment of similar city council housing schemes which are protected structures across the city.