LDA Declares Former Baggot Street Hospital Site Unfit for Affordable Housing

The Land Development Agency (LDA) has determined that the site of the former Baggot Street Hospital in Dublin is unsuitable for the development of affordable housing. This conclusion follows a comprehensive assessment that highlighted multiple challenges, including the building’s protected status and its location within a conservation area.

On Monday, the LDA announced that significant investment would be necessary to adapt the historic structure for residential use, rendering the project unviable for the delivery of affordable homes. The agency stated, “The building is a protected structure and it is located in a conservation area.”

In October 2021, the Health Service Executive submitted a section 53 notice under the Land Development Agency Act 2021 for the Baggot Street site. This formal notification is essential for public bodies intending to sell land that could potentially be utilized for housing. It allows the LDA to evaluate the site’s potential for social and affordable housing and grants the agency the right of first refusal to acquire it.

The iconic Victorian structure, once known as the Royal City of Dublin Hospital, was constructed in 1832 and ceased operations in 1987. Portions of the building served as a drug treatment and community facility until 2019. The property is currently on the market with a guide price of €5.5 million.

Over the years, local campaigners have proposed various uses for the site, ranging from housing solutions to facilities for asylum seekers, and even ideas for a Viking museum. Despite these suggestions, the LDA has reiterated its focus on delivering affordable and social housing in areas where it can achieve value for money.

The LDA emphasized its ongoing commitment to acquiring suitable sites in Dublin and collaborating with Dublin City Council and private builders to complete large-scale housing projects. The agency has reported the successful delivery of more than 2,000 homes across Dublin and its vicinity. This includes 597 homes in Shanganagh, 607 homes in Seven Mills, 180 homes in Cookstown, and 247 homes in Hansfield.

Currently, the LDA is focused on developing other large-scale sites in areas such as Baldoyle/Stapolin, Clongriffin, the Donore Project at St Teresa’s Gardens, Skerries, Balbriggan, and Cromcastle in Coolock. The agency aims to provide quality housing solutions that meet the urgent needs of the community while ensuring the sustainability of the projects.