A formal Part 8 planning application has been lodged by Dublin City Council for the Dalymount Park Redevelopment Project.
The architect-led integrated design team, comprising IDOM & Gilroy McMahon, will shortly commence preparations for the detailed design phase of the project. During this process, there will be further ongoing consultation with all the relevant stakeholders including the FAI, Bohemian FC, and the wider North Dublin Community.
A Part 8 process is used where the local authority is seeking to develop a project and provides for necessary advertising and taking of submissions but in a shortened process that generally runs to no more than 20 weeks.
The design and planning elements of the project are being funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media (DTCAGSM) via the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) Stream 1.
Additional funding for the next phase of development through to the building and completion of the project needs to come in stream 2 of the same funding in order that the project can be completed in time for the start of the 2027 domestic season.
Dalymount Park is one of the city council’s major capital infrastructure projects which will not only improve the sporting infrastructure of the city but play a major in role in the regeneration and enhancement of the Public Domain in Phibsborough. The current plan is to develop a new four sided municipal stadium with a capacity of over 8,000.
The project will require the reorientation of the pitch, as was needed for the Aviva Stadium, and the installation of a new sand-based grass pitch.
There will be two new stands to the east and west side with provision for 6,240 seats and two new terraces to the north and south with provision for 1,794 standing fans.
The provision of a public thoroughfare along the eastern boundary connecting North Circular Road and Connaught Street will include various eateries and a new public plaza.
The plans also include a new community facility with an area of 585 sq.m over two floors to include a multi-functional community room and a community gym.
The first phase of enabling works, including the demolition of the Connaught Street Stand, have now been completed.
“The redevelopment of this iconic stadium will provide a modern municipal facility that will not just be of benefit to Bohemian FC but also the wider Dublin Community,” said Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste.
“Today marks another step towards that goal. I’d like to acknowledge all the ongoing hard work and commitment from both the City Council staff and the Design Team tasked with delivering this project and I have no doubt this will continue as we progress to the next stage of the redevelopment process.”
“Bohemian FC is delighted to mark this hugely significant day,” added Chief Operating Officer Daniel Lambert.
“Dalymount Park has hosted thousands of football games, enjoyed by millions of supporters, continuously since 1901, while also being an integral part of the general sporting, cultural and societal fabric of Dublin City. It has, however, long passed its capability to provide an appropriate, safe and modern facility for football and community use.”
“We have engaged extensively with Dublin City Council since their acquisition of the stadium in 2015 and thank them for their considerable efforts to get us to this point; in particular the work of Brendan Kenny initially, and more recently Richard Shakespeare, both of whom have always shown a firm commitment to this historic site and recognise its positive role and function in the life of the city.”
“We would also like to put on record our gratitude to various ministers for their engagement with the club over the years, in particular the strong support of Minister Paschal Donohoe, and also the cross-party support and engagement of many local TDs and councillors throughout the process.”
“We expect the Part 8 planning to be granted in early 2024 at the February Council meeting. We now call on the government to ensure that the appropriate funding mechanism is in place to enable progression to construction phase. As we have seen across capital projects with levels of inflation, any delays to the process can cause significant complications.”
“We now have a plan to deliver the right stadium for Bohs, Dublin 7 and the city as a whole, at a cost that is appropriate, and that has public and political support. What we need now is the government to ensure the right funding is now forthcoming so that we can have a community stadium to be proud of at the Home of Irish Football.”
